Match Reports
Maroons continue their winning ways
Thursday 1st January 1970 1:00AM
Morley RFC 20 Beverley 10
MORLEY'S excellent start to the season continued as they ran in three tries in their defeat of Beverley at Scatcherd Lane.
MORLEY'S excellent start to the season continued as they ran in three tries in their defeat of Beverley at Scatcherd Lane.
Peter Seabourne's men were made to battle to the final whistle, but were never behind as they made it five wins from six games in North One.
In the end they were a little disappointed to only win by a 10-point margin after opening up a 20-3 lead 14 minutes into the second half, although there were a number of pleasing aspects as the defence stood up well and the line-out showed a vast improvement from the previous home game when the Maroons had been pipped by Birkenhead Park.
Morley took control in the opening quarter and were ahead after just three minutes when the first penalty award saw winger Simon Bradshaw step up to confidently kick the ball between the posts from 30 metres out.
A threatening attack soon after ended as centre Neil Murray was well tackled 20 metres out, unable to get the ball away to right wing Kobi Gyasi who was free, and it was no surprise that the home side came up with the first try on 14 minutes. Joe Battye made the initial inroads, three fine drives took the ball close to the line and when it was then moved out to fly half Mark Chester he dummied his way into a gap and had the pace to scoot over from 10 metres out. Bradshaw was unable to add the difficult conversion, but it was 8-0.
Beverley gradually felt their way into the contest, although it took them almost half an hour to exert their first pressure. This brought their first points as Ian Archibald kicked a penalty from bang in front of the posts.
The visitors were taking complete command in the scrums and with the penalty count also mounting against Morley the hosts were getting starved of possession. Beverley were not doing much with the ball they had, though, and were taught a lesson in he second minute of injury time when the Maroons suddenly put together the best move of the game and scored their second try.
After being kept quiet for much of the half, skipper Craig Field was sent racing away down the left touchline from his own half. Bradshaw was in support and after the two exchanged passes, Field completed the move in fine style. With Bradshaw adding an equally impressive conversion with the last kick of the half, Morley were more than happy to have a 15-3 half-time lead.
They looked for more points at the start of the second period and created two good openings following breaks by Peter Dadswell and Michael Ash only for the ball to go to ground with passes knocked on. There was nothing wrong on 54 minutes, however, when crucial turnover ball was secured in the middle and it was quickly played out by Chester and Bradshaw to second row man Sean Burke who after finding himself out on the left flank duly finished like a winger with a shimmy to make space, a pacy run and a spectacular dive bringing him a memorable first try in the senior team.
With Bradshaw narrowly failing with the touchline conversion attempt, it was to prove the last Morley score, but they went close again when Bradshaw's chip ahead forced Beverley full back Jeremy Barnes to touch the ball down over his own line and when Scott Evans thought he was in the clear inside the 22 only to be brought back as Field had unluckily put a foot in touch in the build-up.
The game ended in more frustrating fashion for the Maroons as a succession of penalties pushed them back and they were forced to demonstrate all their defensive capabilities in the last 10 minutes. There was some terrific tackling, however, notably when Gyasi chased back to haul down visitors' wing Vinnie Calderwood who looked certain to score.
The defence did finally crack, though, in injury time after heavy forward pressure on the line resulted in Dave Worrall finding a gap to go over for a consolation try for the visitors. Mike Kilgannon added the conversion to complete the scoring.
With no bonus points at stake the late score did not really matter and it was the Maroons who walked off happy enough with their afternoon's work.
Morley: Evans; Gyasi, Ash, Murray, S Bradshaw; Chester, S Dadswell; Gabriel, Treco, Gray, Field, Burke, P Dadswell, Burnett, Battye. Replacements: Benn, Chamberlain (used), Benton (unused).
Beverley: Barnes; Oakey, Gardiner, Tupai, Collingwood; Archibald, Infield; Pickering, Cross, Cameron, Hopa, Jackson, Riby-French, Worrall, McKay. Replacements (all used): Brant, Kilgannon, Puckering.
Referee: Andy Daniels
Scorers:
Morley: Tries, Chester, Field, Burke. Conversion, Bradshaw. Penalty, Bradshaw.
Beverley: Try, Worrall. Conversion, Kilgannon. Penalty, Archibald.
Penalties conceded: Morley 12, Beverley 6.
Morley man of the match: Sean Burke
In the end they were a little disappointed to only win by a 10-point margin after opening up a 20-3 lead 14 minutes into the second half, although there were a number of pleasing aspects as the defence stood up well and the line-out showed a vast improvement from the previous home game when the Maroons had been pipped by Birkenhead Park.
Morley took control in the opening quarter and were ahead after just three minutes when the first penalty award saw winger Simon Bradshaw step up to confidently kick the ball between the posts from 30 metres out.
A threatening attack soon after ended as centre Neil Murray was well tackled 20 metres out, unable to get the ball away to right wing Kobi Gyasi who was free, and it was no surprise that the home side came up with the first try on 14 minutes. Joe Battye made the initial inroads, three fine drives took the ball close to the line and when it was then moved out to fly half Mark Chester he dummied his way into a gap and had the pace to scoot over from 10 metres out. Bradshaw was unable to add the difficult conversion, but it was 8-0.
Beverley gradually felt their way into the contest, although it took them almost half an hour to exert their first pressure. This brought their first points as Ian Archibald kicked a penalty from bang in front of the posts.
The visitors were taking complete command in the scrums and with the penalty count also mounting against Morley the hosts were getting starved of possession. Beverley were not doing much with the ball they had, though, and were taught a lesson in he second minute of injury time when the Maroons suddenly put together the best move of the game and scored their second try.
After being kept quiet for much of the half, skipper Craig Field was sent racing away down the left touchline from his own half. Bradshaw was in support and after the two exchanged passes, Field completed the move in fine style. With Bradshaw adding an equally impressive conversion with the last kick of the half, Morley were more than happy to have a 15-3 half-time lead.
They looked for more points at the start of the second period and created two good openings following breaks by Peter Dadswell and Michael Ash only for the ball to go to ground with passes knocked on. There was nothing wrong on 54 minutes, however, when crucial turnover ball was secured in the middle and it was quickly played out by Chester and Bradshaw to second row man Sean Burke who after finding himself out on the left flank duly finished like a winger with a shimmy to make space, a pacy run and a spectacular dive bringing him a memorable first try in the senior team.
With Bradshaw narrowly failing with the touchline conversion attempt, it was to prove the last Morley score, but they went close again when Bradshaw's chip ahead forced Beverley full back Jeremy Barnes to touch the ball down over his own line and when Scott Evans thought he was in the clear inside the 22 only to be brought back as Field had unluckily put a foot in touch in the build-up.
The game ended in more frustrating fashion for the Maroons as a succession of penalties pushed them back and they were forced to demonstrate all their defensive capabilities in the last 10 minutes. There was some terrific tackling, however, notably when Gyasi chased back to haul down visitors' wing Vinnie Calderwood who looked certain to score.
The defence did finally crack, though, in injury time after heavy forward pressure on the line resulted in Dave Worrall finding a gap to go over for a consolation try for the visitors. Mike Kilgannon added the conversion to complete the scoring.
With no bonus points at stake the late score did not really matter and it was the Maroons who walked off happy enough with their afternoon's work.
Morley: Evans; Gyasi, Ash, Murray, S Bradshaw; Chester, S Dadswell; Gabriel, Treco, Gray, Field, Burke, P Dadswell, Burnett, Battye. Replacements: Benn, Chamberlain (used), Benton (unused).
Beverley: Barnes; Oakey, Gardiner, Tupai, Collingwood; Archibald, Infield; Pickering, Cross, Cameron, Hopa, Jackson, Riby-French, Worrall, McKay. Replacements (all used): Brant, Kilgannon, Puckering.
Referee: Andy Daniels
Scorers:
Morley: Tries, Chester, Field, Burke. Conversion, Bradshaw. Penalty, Bradshaw.
Beverley: Try, Worrall. Conversion, Kilgannon. Penalty, Archibald.
Penalties conceded: Morley 12, Beverley 6.
Morley man of the match: Sean Burke
Tony Harber - Morley Observer & Advertiser
Beverley's Report
This really was a disappointment for Beverley. They travelled to Morley with high hopes of beginning to turn their season around since, for the first time this term, they had been able to select from nearly a full squad.
However, it was not to be and their problems started before the kick off when Fraley Hopa pulled a groin muscle in the warm up and was able to play no part (except to carry on the water bottles!!) in the proceedings. This severely restricted Beverley's line out options and how it showed! They won only one in the first half against Morley's outstanding locks Craig Field and Sean Burke.
Having kicked off with the benefit of the wind behind them, Morley immediately attacked the Beverley line down the left flank and after 4 minutes, during which Beverley hardly touched the ball, were awarded a penalty which Mark Chester converted (3-0).
Play was scrappy in difficult, blustery conditions and Beverley were finding possession extremely difficult to come by. Although scrummaging well, what little possession they did get was not turned into good effect.
As always, the defensive work was good but, inevitably, after 14 minutes Chester broke through to touch down (8-0).
Beverley rallied a little and in practically their first attack after 30 minutes, they were awarded a penalty which Ian Archibald converted (8-3). Play was now a little more even but still Beverley were unable to win much of the ball and , on the stroke of half time the outstanding Craig Field scored a fine try under the posts which Simon Bradshaw converted.(15-3).
This was a hammer blow to Beverley right on half time and skipper Dave Worrall was not a happy man at the interval.
Half time Morley 15 Beverley 3
The second half started much the same as the first finished and after 10 minutes Field's second row partner Sean Burke rounded off a slick move with a try wide out (20 - 3).
This seemed to galvanise the Beverley side and they rallied well to start to probe the Morley defence. Unfortunately, whilst the forwards strove manfully to salvage the situation the backs were unable to obtain any cohesion and, in truth, none apart from Junior Tupai seemed to cause the Morley defence any problem at all.
Eventually on 70 minutes the tireless Dave Worrall forced his way over after Beverley had laid siege to Morley's line for 7 or 8 minutes. Mike Kilgannon, by now having replaced Ian Archibald, added the conversion (20 - 10) and Beverley saw a glimmer of hope. However, try as they might, they were unable to break through again and the game petered out disappointingly.
The one positive to come from the game for Beverley is that they are at least attempting to play 15 man rugby instead of continually trying to crash the ball up the middle. Unfortunately they seem to lack the ability in the threequarters, to open up the opposition. This needs to be addressed and when it is, with their fast mobile pack results will surely improve.
Beverley's Report
This really was a disappointment for Beverley. They travelled to Morley with high hopes of beginning to turn their season around since, for the first time this term, they had been able to select from nearly a full squad.
However, it was not to be and their problems started before the kick off when Fraley Hopa pulled a groin muscle in the warm up and was able to play no part (except to carry on the water bottles!!) in the proceedings. This severely restricted Beverley's line out options and how it showed! They won only one in the first half against Morley's outstanding locks Craig Field and Sean Burke.
Having kicked off with the benefit of the wind behind them, Morley immediately attacked the Beverley line down the left flank and after 4 minutes, during which Beverley hardly touched the ball, were awarded a penalty which Mark Chester converted (3-0).
Play was scrappy in difficult, blustery conditions and Beverley were finding possession extremely difficult to come by. Although scrummaging well, what little possession they did get was not turned into good effect.
As always, the defensive work was good but, inevitably, after 14 minutes Chester broke through to touch down (8-0).
Beverley rallied a little and in practically their first attack after 30 minutes, they were awarded a penalty which Ian Archibald converted (8-3). Play was now a little more even but still Beverley were unable to win much of the ball and , on the stroke of half time the outstanding Craig Field scored a fine try under the posts which Simon Bradshaw converted.(15-3).
This was a hammer blow to Beverley right on half time and skipper Dave Worrall was not a happy man at the interval.
Half time Morley 15 Beverley 3
The second half started much the same as the first finished and after 10 minutes Field's second row partner Sean Burke rounded off a slick move with a try wide out (20 - 3).
This seemed to galvanise the Beverley side and they rallied well to start to probe the Morley defence. Unfortunately, whilst the forwards strove manfully to salvage the situation the backs were unable to obtain any cohesion and, in truth, none apart from Junior Tupai seemed to cause the Morley defence any problem at all.
Eventually on 70 minutes the tireless Dave Worrall forced his way over after Beverley had laid siege to Morley's line for 7 or 8 minutes. Mike Kilgannon, by now having replaced Ian Archibald, added the conversion (20 - 10) and Beverley saw a glimmer of hope. However, try as they might, they were unable to break through again and the game petered out disappointingly.
The one positive to come from the game for Beverley is that they are at least attempting to play 15 man rugby instead of continually trying to crash the ball up the middle. Unfortunately they seem to lack the ability in the threequarters, to open up the opposition. This needs to be addressed and when it is, with their fast mobile pack results will surely improve.
