Morley U11s V Aireborough U11s

Morley U11s V Aireborough U11s Rugby Match Report - 20/01/08

This week's game for Morley U11s was a rare home fixture against Aireborough, where the Scatcherd Lane pitch conditions resembled a Welsh peat bog, and the wind matched something out of 'Wuthering Heights'.

Although Aireborough didn't have a full compliment of players, Morley were able to loan some players which enabled everyone to get really wet and muddy.

Aireborough kicked off and Morley were on the attack straight away, recycling the ball and keeping possession for several phases. Alex Stevenson produced a cutting run from a Morley scrum, followed by Lewis Starr's effort from a line-out. Next up was forward Luke Metcalfe stretching his legs.

But, it was second-row Rhys Sharp who scored Morley's first try with a typical powerful run and with Chris Sawicki adding the conversion Morley led 7-0.

Again Morley attacked Aireborough with Luke Metcalfe and Joe Horner combining well. Then, forward Oliver Ayers crashed over for the second try, aptly converted by Luke Metcalfe giving the score-line 14-0 to Morley.

It wasn't long before Morley scored again, this time coming from back Alex Stevenson, has he jinked his way through the Aireborough defence, and the kicking machine Luke Metcalfe adding the conversion.

The fourth Morley try came from Joe Horner, followed by a try from Lewis Starr, making the score 33-0 to Morley.

With still plenty of time before half-time it was Aireborough's turn to score albeit by Morley's burly forward Edward Kelly, but then Luke Metcalfe responded with another try and the half-time score read 38-7.

Aireborough opened the scoring in the second half and then it was Chris Sawicki playing for Aireborough who went over the line following a quick run down the blind-side from an Aireborough scrum. Chris Sawicki then followed this up with another try and with the conversion from Luke Metcalfe, Aireborough seemed to be closing in on Morley's first half lead.

Luckily Rhys Sharp decided to take things into his own hands and against the run of play powered over for his second try of the match. Not to be out-done by the kicking prowess of fellow forward Luke Metcalfe he converted his own try, almost lauching the ball into the adjacent house garden.

Again Aireborough came back with another try from Morley's Luke Metcalfe making the score 45-35 and thus setting up an exciting finish before a brilliant tackle from Lewis Starr ended the game.

With another excellent all-round team performance on display from the Morley players, following on from the last outing, the spectators were rewarded with what could only be classed as a 'try fest', produced in probably the worst playing conditions you will see in a long time.

A big welcome to Daniel Hirst on debut.

FINAL SCORE: Morley 45 - 35 Aireborough.

Try scorers:

Rhys Sharp (2), Oliver Ayers, Alex Stevenson, Joe Horner, Lewis Starr, Edward Kelly, Luke Metcalfe (2) and Chris Sawicki (2).

Conversions:

Chris Sawicki (2), Luke Metcalfe (4) and Rhys Sharp.

Team:

Luke Metcalfe, Joe Horner, Tyler Harrison, Thomas-John Cook, Rhys Sharp, Oliver Ayers, Edward Kelly, Joe Firth, Chris Sawicki, Alex Stevenson, Ryley Wan, Lewis Starr, Lawrence Earnshaw, Sam Hood, Cameron Wallis, Callum Gamble and Daniel Hirst.