First came the classy rugby as the Maroons opened up a big lead by half-time and then came the determination as the visitors upped their game for the second half, but were restricted to just one try.

The only disappointment was that Morley did not manage a second half try themselves which would have given them a precious bonus point. But the standard of much of the first half's rugby will have pleased coaches Peter Seabourne and Tom McGee.

The Maroons made a dream start when from their first attack they moved the ball well. Simon Chippendale made a half break, flanker Steve Hewetson took it on and passed inside where scrum half Mark Chester finished the flowing move by racing the final yards to touch the ball down over the line.

Dave Evans, selected ahead of Glenn Boyd at fly half, kicked a good conversion and with the clock showing two minutes the home side were already 7-0 up.

That became 12-0 on eight minutes when in-form winger Jon Hampsey came up with a smart finish down the left flank after Craig Field's pass had given him space to show his electrifying pace.

Hull did not know what had hit them, but they gradually eased their way into the contest and after their first real pressure of the game they took the three points on offer from the referee as fly half Chris Quinn kicked a penalty.

Quinn missed another shot at goal, from further out this time, on 28 minutes, but nine minutes later he was accurate with the boot after a ruck offence spotted by referee Trevor Fisher gave him a simple opportunity.

However, if they thought they were back in the game they were to be rudely awakened right on half-time. There seemed little danger as Morley scrappily won the ball from a line-out on half way, but they recycled it well to get it out to Dave Evans and his short pass sent Hampsey racing clear again.

Having moved across from his left wing to pick up the ball in the centre it was a planned move that worked like a treat as the Maroons' top scorer outpaced the initial cover and showed a clean pair of heels to all the Ionians players on an angled run to get the ball down in the right hand corner for his 16th league try of the season - from just 18 appearances.

Morley looked to build on their 17-6 lead as they made a strong start to the second half with forwards and backs linking well to take play into the opposition half.Field went on a typically strong run only to be halted 10 metres out and the pressure was only ended with a controversial penalty decision against the home side.

A run of stoppages meant the game lost its flow for a spell and the Maroons suffered a big blow when they lost Hampsey to a leg injury on 48 minutes, to be replaced by second team coach Jason Fieldhouse who had only been called up for the game on Saturday morning after Scott Benton had to pull out with flu.

Ionians did not offer much at this stage, though, as they were constantly pegged back by some great touch finding kicks from David Evans, Pete Murphy and Chester. With good field position established, the Maroons were then rewarded when given a penalty on the hour for offside. David Evans stepped up to gladly slot the ball between the posts from 22 metres out and it was now 20-6.

Evans missed a much more difficult penalty chance three minutes later before Hull turned up the pressure in the final quarter with their forwards beginning to get on top for the first time.

Morley were forced to play out 10 minutes with 14 men when Hewetson was sin-binned for handling in a ruck on 71 minutes and from the very next move they had conceded their first try when back row forward Robert Kench found a gap near the line to dive over. Replacement fly half Karl Birch added the conversion and at 20-13 it was all to play for.

After losing so narrowly to a late score the week before, the home side were nervous, but they defended well this time and in fact it was they who had the best chance to score in the closing stages when powerhouse prop Paul Gabriel went on a drive for the line only to be held up inches short.

Morley: S Evans; Ash, Pease, Murphy, Hampsey; D Evans, Chester; Gabriel, Treco, Benn, Challinor, Chippendale, Field, Hewetson, Spence. Replacements (all used): Fieldhouse, Rika, Larkin, Gray.
Hull Ionians: Hannah; Stephenson, Girkin, Waddy, Donkin; Quinn, Green; Starling, Mortimer, Lyon, Hill, Wilson, Kench, R Wigham, Hague. Replacements (all used): Rice, Dannatt, M Wigham, Birch.
Referee: Trevor Fisher

Scorers: Morley: Tries, Chester, Hampsey 2. Conversion, D Evans. Penalty, D Evans. Ionians: Try, Kench. Conversion, Birch. Penalties, Quinn 2.

Penalties against: Morley 12, Ionians 9

Morley man of the match: Jon Hampsey

© Tony Harber Morley Observer & Advertiser