Match Reports
Morley came so close to causing an upset
Thursday 1st January 1970 1:00AM
Morley's view of the game
Morley RFC 22 Hull 23
SO close yet so far. Morley showed they could live with the best North One has to offer, but were left to reflect on an agonising one-point defeat by leaders Hull at Scatcherd Lane on Saturday.
SO close yet so far. Morley showed they could live with the best North One has to offer, but were left to reflect on an agonising one-point defeat by leaders Hull at Scatcherd Lane on Saturday.
For the second time this season the Maroons could count themselves unlucky to fall to a narrow home defeat and were on the wrong end of one or two controversial decisions.
A penalty count of 6-0 against in the first 10 minutes set the tone and although the decisions began to come their way more in the second half their opponents enjoyed the benefit of the doubt when one of their three tries was awarded to winger Mateo Malupo even though he looked suspiciously offside.
It was the visitors who took an early lead when one of their glut of penalties resulted in three points for Guy Martinson from bang in front of the posts and, thanks to referee Peter Ashman, all the play in the first 15 minutes was in the home half.
But the first sign that Morley could look dangerous in attack came when Mark Chester's chip ahead rolled agonisingly in touch with left wing Simon Bradshaw chasing up and in the clear.
However, from the resulting line-out, Sean Burke made a big steal and Hull were suddenly defending near their own line. Chester and Danny Chamberlain combined nicely and Burke sent centre Neil Murray over for the opening try to which Bradshaw added a conversion.
From the restart, Craig Field was on the charge, making 40 metres down field before Bradshaw was tackled into touch 15 metres from the line. When they were awarded a penalty soon after they showed their attacking attentions in opting to put the ball in the corner instead of go for goal. Possession was secured in the line-out and when the ball was moved left an overlap was created and full back Scott Evans sold a lovely dummy to find a gap to race over for another fine try.
Bradshaw added the touchline conversion and unbelievably after 21 minutes it was 14-3 against the promotion favourites.
Hull did not panic, however, and began to pin Morley back. They found themselves with a man advantage for 10 minutes, after home centre Michael Ash was sin-binned as a result of his side's persistent offences, and took full advantage.
First, Martinson kicked his second penalty then two minutes from half-time they made it 14-11 as Malupo was given a clear run to the line after receiving a clever pass out of the back of his hand by Darren Wigg.
With the Maroons still down to 14 at the start of the second half, they conceded again two minutes after the break when Malupo latched on to a kick over the top by James Cameron and showed good pace to score. He did look to be ahead of the kicker, but the try stood and with Martinson adding the conversion Hull were 18-14 in front.
Now it was Morley's turn to dig in and once back to their full compliment they charged back into attack on the back of a fine Ash break.
A penalty count of 6-0 against in the first 10 minutes set the tone and although the decisions began to come their way more in the second half their opponents enjoyed the benefit of the doubt when one of their three tries was awarded to winger Mateo Malupo even though he looked suspiciously offside.
It was the visitors who took an early lead when one of their glut of penalties resulted in three points for Guy Martinson from bang in front of the posts and, thanks to referee Peter Ashman, all the play in the first 15 minutes was in the home half.
But the first sign that Morley could look dangerous in attack came when Mark Chester's chip ahead rolled agonisingly in touch with left wing Simon Bradshaw chasing up and in the clear.
However, from the resulting line-out, Sean Burke made a big steal and Hull were suddenly defending near their own line. Chester and Danny Chamberlain combined nicely and Burke sent centre Neil Murray over for the opening try to which Bradshaw added a conversion.
From the restart, Craig Field was on the charge, making 40 metres down field before Bradshaw was tackled into touch 15 metres from the line. When they were awarded a penalty soon after they showed their attacking attentions in opting to put the ball in the corner instead of go for goal. Possession was secured in the line-out and when the ball was moved left an overlap was created and full back Scott Evans sold a lovely dummy to find a gap to race over for another fine try.
Bradshaw added the touchline conversion and unbelievably after 21 minutes it was 14-3 against the promotion favourites.
Hull did not panic, however, and began to pin Morley back. They found themselves with a man advantage for 10 minutes, after home centre Michael Ash was sin-binned as a result of his side's persistent offences, and took full advantage.
First, Martinson kicked his second penalty then two minutes from half-time they made it 14-11 as Malupo was given a clear run to the line after receiving a clever pass out of the back of his hand by Darren Wigg.
With the Maroons still down to 14 at the start of the second half, they conceded again two minutes after the break when Malupo latched on to a kick over the top by James Cameron and showed good pace to score. He did look to be ahead of the kicker, but the try stood and with Martinson adding the conversion Hull were 18-14 in front.
Now it was Morley's turn to dig in and once back to their full compliment they charged back into attack on the back of a fine Ash break.
A penalty for offside gave Bradshaw a chance to slot another goal and there was only one point between the teams.
On 59 minutes it was even better for the Maroons when Field made the initial yards, Chamberlain carried the ball on well and his superb pass gave fellow second rower Burke the chance to squeeze in at the corner for the try of the game.
Unfortunately Bradshaw was unable to kick the touchline conversion this time and Hull quickly responded. Despite being reduced to 14 men with scrum half Chris Kendra yellow carded for talking back to the referee, they worked an opening for Martinson who was able to go over in the left corner. Although he could not kick the conversion his team were back in front at 23-22 and that was how it stayed to the final whistle.
Morley exerted some late pressure and had a drop goal attempt charged down, but the earlier snap went out of their play and they were left to look back on a good effort that was so nearly enough.
Morley: Evans; Gyasi, Ash, Murray, S Bradshaw; Chester, S Dadswell; Gabriel, Treco, Gray, Chamberlain, Burke, Field, Burnett, Battye. Replacements (used): P Dadswell, (unused) Benn, K Bradshaw.
Hull: White; Malupo, Piercy, David, Martinson; Cameron, Kendra; Ward, Plevey, Finua, Murphy, Cook, Makaafi, Onesi, Devonshire. Replacements (used): Wigg, Harding, (unused) Molitera.
Referee: Peter Ashman
Scorers:
Morley: Tries, Murray, Evans, Burke. Conversions, S Bradshaw 2. Penalty, S Bradshaw.
Hull: Tries, Malupo 2, Martinson. Conversion, Martinson. Penalties, Martinson 2.
Penalties against: Morley 10, Hull 8
Morley man of the match: Sean Burke
On 59 minutes it was even better for the Maroons when Field made the initial yards, Chamberlain carried the ball on well and his superb pass gave fellow second rower Burke the chance to squeeze in at the corner for the try of the game.
Unfortunately Bradshaw was unable to kick the touchline conversion this time and Hull quickly responded. Despite being reduced to 14 men with scrum half Chris Kendra yellow carded for talking back to the referee, they worked an opening for Martinson who was able to go over in the left corner. Although he could not kick the conversion his team were back in front at 23-22 and that was how it stayed to the final whistle.
Morley exerted some late pressure and had a drop goal attempt charged down, but the earlier snap went out of their play and they were left to look back on a good effort that was so nearly enough.
Morley: Evans; Gyasi, Ash, Murray, S Bradshaw; Chester, S Dadswell; Gabriel, Treco, Gray, Chamberlain, Burke, Field, Burnett, Battye. Replacements (used): P Dadswell, (unused) Benn, K Bradshaw.
Hull: White; Malupo, Piercy, David, Martinson; Cameron, Kendra; Ward, Plevey, Finua, Murphy, Cook, Makaafi, Onesi, Devonshire. Replacements (used): Wigg, Harding, (unused) Molitera.
Referee: Peter Ashman
Scorers:
Morley: Tries, Murray, Evans, Burke. Conversions, S Bradshaw 2. Penalty, S Bradshaw.
Hull: Tries, Malupo 2, Martinson. Conversion, Martinson. Penalties, Martinson 2.
Penalties against: Morley 10, Hull 8
Morley man of the match: Sean Burke
© Tony Harber Morley Observer & Advertiser
Hull's view of the game
Hull RUFC remain at the top of North One after this narrow but well-deserved victory at Morley. Celebrating their 130th anniversary the Maroons were fired up for this game and urged on by a large and very partisan home crowd they pushed Hull every inch of the way. But the Hull side proved to be party-poopers for the home club's big day but I am sure I speak for us all when I congratulate Morley on their long history.
James Cameron, Chris Kendra and Maea David returned to the Hull back division which was still suffering from injuries to Michael Wood and Tevita Vaikona while Adie Wadforth had influenza and was unable to play. Guy Martinson moved to the right wing with Matt White taking the full-back spot and Chris Kendra coming in at scrum-half. The only change in the pack was Latu Makaafi returning to the back row after playing at centre last week with Darren Wigg named as sub.
Coach Steve Harding was pleased with another away win. "We came expecting a hard game and we certainly got one. There was no lack of determination from the Hull side but Morley moved the ball well, came from depth and caused us problems. I was very grateful for Darren Wigg's fantastic off-load which led to Malupo's first try but overall the side gave a first class display throughout. Morley were outstanding and we came away with a win against a side who rose to the occasion of their anniversary". He went on, "We came back very well after going 14-3 behind and I thought Morley might tire in the second half but they didn't. We had to muscle our way through this game but that is something a side sometimes have to do".
Guy Martinson got Hull on the board in the 11th minute when he landed a penalty goal after Morley had gone offside. In the 16th minute a period of Morley pressure saw the ball moved left for centre Neil Murray to score leaving winger Simon Bradshaw to add the extras from wide out.
Five minutes later Morley were in again following a line-out on the right wing when the ball was again was moved left for full-back Scott Evans to score. Bradshaw again converted and the Maroons led 14-3. Hull were stirred but not shaken and now came more into the game. In the 32nd minute Morley handled in a ruck and Martinson landed the penalty from 35 yards. Maea David had left the field in the 30th minute and was replaced by Darren Wigg who went into the back row with Latu Makaafi moving to centre.
Hull were now looking the better side and a fine break from Darren Wigg to the right saw him produce a slick one-handed off-load to put winger Mateo Malupo away to race fifty yards to score his fifteenth league try of the season but the conversion attempt failed.
Hull regained the lead in the 42nd minute when a finely-judged cross-field kick from fly-half James Cameron bounced perfectly for Malupo who beat two defenders before scoring his second try beneath the posts leaving Martinson an easy conversion. Hull now led 18 - 14.
Bradshaw put Morley to within one point with a 54th minute penalty after Hull had gone offside and three minutes later Hull had scrum-half Chris Kendra yellow-carded. Morley took full advantage of this and on the hour a good move across the Hull 25 saw lock Sean Burke score in the corner, too far out to convert. Hull made a tactical substitution in the 60th minute when Tevita Molitera replaced James Ward in the front row.
The Morley lead was short-lived however and in the 63rd minute a weaving run from Cameron saw him held beneath the posts. From the ruck Matt White, who had moved to scrum-half, cut out two defenders with a long pass to Martinson who scored in the left corner but his conversion attempt failed. Kendra returned in the 67th minute and was replaced on the wing by Chris Harding in the 71st minute.
With seventeen minutes of the game remaining Hull took firm control of the game to deny Morley's efforts to regain the lead. Hull kept their composure, and their narrow lead, and despite some heavy pressure by the Maroons in the final three minutes they went on to take two very hard-earned league points after what had been a very good rugby match.
Steve Harding concluded, "If we have done well at the end of this season we will look back on games like this and remember that wins of this nature are a massive boost". While full of praise for his side Harding singled out Tongan wing forward Sione Onesi for special mention. "In a very good back row he was outstanding, tireless and always in the thick of the close quarter action". Onesi was also chosen as man of the match by Morley head coach Peter Seabourne, ahead of his own side's choice.
Perhaps the final word belongs to referee Peter Ashman who said after the game that during those final seventeen minutes the Hull discipline had been superb.
