Match Reports
Morley shock Champions
Friday 14th March 2008 4:20PM
Morley RFC 12 Tynedale 12
WHAT drama, what a finish and another day to think what might have been for Morley RFC.
For sheer guts and determination, Saturday's performance takes some beating and if the Maroons can keep this spirit up they know they can pull off the great escape.
In a game that seemed to be played on two different days, such was the contrast in conditions, it was sunshine all the way in the first half for already confirmed National Three North champions Tynedale as they seemed a class apart from Morley and opened up a 12-0 lead.
But after a rainbow appeared over the ground the rain lashed down after the break and the worse the weather got the better the Maroons played until they produced the most thrilling of finishes seen at Scatcherd Lane this season.
Urged on by a vociferous crowd, they upped their game several gears and constantly drove the visitors back with terrific touch finding kicks from fly half Dave Evans and scrum half Mark Chester. With the game played mostly in the Tynedale half, Evans was just wide with a drop goal attempt and the pressure finally told on 62 minutes when Matt Challinor sneaked round from the back of a ruck to get the ball down over the line.
Dave Evans added the conversion and the scene was set for a rousing final quarter in which the champions, so comfortable earlier, were now hanging on. They appeared to have survived when the best chance went by as speedy winger Jon Hampsey latched on to a loose ball and kicked ahead down the left wing only for the ball to roll agonisingly in touch 10 metres from the line.
But Morley showed an admirable never say die spirit and conjured up another opportunity in the third minute of injury time when Craig Field went charging for the line. It took four men to stop him just short and as the Maroons pack followed up they were held up over the line.
A five-metre scrum was the result and another forwards drive followed. This time it was Challinor with the determined run and he used all his strength to force his way over for his second try of the afternoon.
Wild celebrations ensued, before it was then quiet as everyone held their breath while Dave Evans put the ball down to take the conversion that could win the game. It was only a little to the right of the posts for the left footed fly half and easier than the kick he had already landed earlier, but it did not help that the wind meant he had to have a player hold the ball to prevent it blowing over and it did not help that underfoot conditions were now so wet. Excuses aplenty, perhaps, but to the disbelief of the supporters Evans pushed his kick agonisingly wide of the uprights and the referee blew for time immediately to leave the teams tied at 12-12.
It was a disconsolate Dave Evans that walked back to the dressing room, but he need not be too upset as his performance, particularly when Tynedale were on top, had played a big part in keeping the Maroons in the contest.
The visitors looked every inch the champions they are in the early stages as they showed no sign of easing up despite clinching promotion a week earlier. Their tackling was ferocious and they displayed some fine handling skills in an impressive opening quarter.
Tynedale took the lead on 13 minutes when wingers James Rastall and Jack Smales combined impressively to open up the home defence for Smales to race over for a classy try that brought applause from Morley supporters.
Fly half Gavin Beasley added the conversion and six minutes later his side had another try as flanker Matthew Fieldhouse went over in the corner after a crucial and controversial turnover had seen the Maroons cough up possession near their own line. This time Beasley's conversion attempt from the touchline bounced back off the post to leave the score at 12-0.
Morley found it hard to create openings in the first half against a tight defence, although good handling by Field, Dave Evans and Challinor did take play into the Tynedale 22 and centre Mark Pease was tackled just short of the line.
The visitors came close again when Gavin Beasley chased his own kick and got to the ball only to knock on within sight of the try line, but they got increasingly frustrated as the game progressed and were happy to have a kick at goal on 36 minutes when awarded a mystery penalty. Beasley was wide with his effort from 22 metres out and it remained 12-0 up to the break.
The words of coaches Peter Seabourne and Tom McGee at half-time clearly had an effect as the Maroons improved all-round after th e interval, their tackling was stronger and they played to a definite game plan. Ultimately they edged the forward battle and in the end were so close to a famous victory.
Morley: S Evans; Ash, Pease, Murphy, Hampsey; D Evans, Chester; Gabriel, Treco, Benn, Challinor, Chippendale, Field, Hewetson, Spence. Replacements: Rika, Benton, Gray (used), Dodgson (unused).
Tynedale: Massey; J Rastall, Harrison, G Rastall, Smales; G Beasley, Young; Jupp, Charlton, Harden, Marshall, MacGilchrist, Fieldhouse, Murray, G Rastall. Replacements: Pender, Grattan, Dunn, Southern.
Referee: Mark Liddell
Scorers: Morley: Tries, Challinor 2. Conversion, D Evans. Tynedale: Tries, Smales, Fieldhouse. Conversion: G Beasley.
Penalties against: Morley 8, Tynedale 10
Morley man of the match: Matt Challinor
In a game that seemed to be played on two different days, such was the contrast in conditions, it was sunshine all the way in the first half for already confirmed National Three North champions Tynedale as they seemed a class apart from Morley and opened up a 12-0 lead.
But after a rainbow appeared over the ground the rain lashed down after the break and the worse the weather got the better the Maroons played until they produced the most thrilling of finishes seen at Scatcherd Lane this season.
Urged on by a vociferous crowd, they upped their game several gears and constantly drove the visitors back with terrific touch finding kicks from fly half Dave Evans and scrum half Mark Chester. With the game played mostly in the Tynedale half, Evans was just wide with a drop goal attempt and the pressure finally told on 62 minutes when Matt Challinor sneaked round from the back of a ruck to get the ball down over the line.
Dave Evans added the conversion and the scene was set for a rousing final quarter in which the champions, so comfortable earlier, were now hanging on. They appeared to have survived when the best chance went by as speedy winger Jon Hampsey latched on to a loose ball and kicked ahead down the left wing only for the ball to roll agonisingly in touch 10 metres from the line.
But Morley showed an admirable never say die spirit and conjured up another opportunity in the third minute of injury time when Craig Field went charging for the line. It took four men to stop him just short and as the Maroons pack followed up they were held up over the line.
A five-metre scrum was the result and another forwards drive followed. This time it was Challinor with the determined run and he used all his strength to force his way over for his second try of the afternoon.
Wild celebrations ensued, before it was then quiet as everyone held their breath while Dave Evans put the ball down to take the conversion that could win the game. It was only a little to the right of the posts for the left footed fly half and easier than the kick he had already landed earlier, but it did not help that the wind meant he had to have a player hold the ball to prevent it blowing over and it did not help that underfoot conditions were now so wet. Excuses aplenty, perhaps, but to the disbelief of the supporters Evans pushed his kick agonisingly wide of the uprights and the referee blew for time immediately to leave the teams tied at 12-12.
It was a disconsolate Dave Evans that walked back to the dressing room, but he need not be too upset as his performance, particularly when Tynedale were on top, had played a big part in keeping the Maroons in the contest.
The visitors looked every inch the champions they are in the early stages as they showed no sign of easing up despite clinching promotion a week earlier. Their tackling was ferocious and they displayed some fine handling skills in an impressive opening quarter.
Tynedale took the lead on 13 minutes when wingers James Rastall and Jack Smales combined impressively to open up the home defence for Smales to race over for a classy try that brought applause from Morley supporters.
Fly half Gavin Beasley added the conversion and six minutes later his side had another try as flanker Matthew Fieldhouse went over in the corner after a crucial and controversial turnover had seen the Maroons cough up possession near their own line. This time Beasley's conversion attempt from the touchline bounced back off the post to leave the score at 12-0.
Morley found it hard to create openings in the first half against a tight defence, although good handling by Field, Dave Evans and Challinor did take play into the Tynedale 22 and centre Mark Pease was tackled just short of the line.
The visitors came close again when Gavin Beasley chased his own kick and got to the ball only to knock on within sight of the try line, but they got increasingly frustrated as the game progressed and were happy to have a kick at goal on 36 minutes when awarded a mystery penalty. Beasley was wide with his effort from 22 metres out and it remained 12-0 up to the break.
The words of coaches Peter Seabourne and Tom McGee at half-time clearly had an effect as the Maroons improved all-round after th e interval, their tackling was stronger and they played to a definite game plan. Ultimately they edged the forward battle and in the end were so close to a famous victory.
Morley: S Evans; Ash, Pease, Murphy, Hampsey; D Evans, Chester; Gabriel, Treco, Benn, Challinor, Chippendale, Field, Hewetson, Spence. Replacements: Rika, Benton, Gray (used), Dodgson (unused).
Tynedale: Massey; J Rastall, Harrison, G Rastall, Smales; G Beasley, Young; Jupp, Charlton, Harden, Marshall, MacGilchrist, Fieldhouse, Murray, G Rastall. Replacements: Pender, Grattan, Dunn, Southern.
Referee: Mark Liddell
Scorers: Morley: Tries, Challinor 2. Conversion, D Evans. Tynedale: Tries, Smales, Fieldhouse. Conversion: G Beasley.
Penalties against: Morley 8, Tynedale 10
Morley man of the match: Matt Challinor
© Tony Harber Mor;ey Observer & Advertiser
