Match Reports
Park's experience take the points
Wednesday 9th November 2011
Morley 10 Darlington Mowden Park 35
Four tries in the last half hour sank Morley at Scatcherd Lane on Saturday but they showed spirit in defeat to the SSE National League Three North Leaders.
Paul Gabriel's try early in the second half gave the Maroons hopes of pulling off an upset as they only trailed 13-10 and were matching their opponents in the forwards before Darlington's extra class saw them run out winners.
With eight wins from their first nine matches Park were big favourites before the kick-off and threatened to run up a big score when their first three visits into the home 22 brought them scores and allowed them to open up a 13-3 lead, but they were starved of good possession for long periods in the opening half and became increasingly rattled.
Grant Connon's penalty opened the scoring on five minutes before Simon bradshaw quickly replied in kind for Morley after the visitors had been offside defending a Bradshaw break and kick ahead from a David Hopton pass.
Paul Gabriel's try early in the second half gave the Maroons hopes of pulling off an upset as they only trailed 13-10 and were matching their opponents in the forwards before Darlington's extra class saw them run out winners.
With eight wins from their first nine matches Park were big favourites before the kick-off and threatened to run up a big score when their first three visits into the home 22 brought them scores and allowed them to open up a 13-3 lead, but they were starved of good possession for long periods in the opening half and became increasingly rattled.
Grant Connon's penalty opened the scoring on five minutes before Simon bradshaw quickly replied in kind for Morley after the visitors had been offside defending a Bradshaw break and kick ahead from a David Hopton pass.
Darlington won possession back from the restart and after centre Chris Pearce found a hole in the midfield the ball was recycled through several phases for prop Dan Miller to go over for the first try.
Winner Paul Shepherd added a second try, finishing in the corner after good back play moved the ball from right to left. Connon missed his second convession attempt, but it was 13-3 with just 13 minutes gone.
Little more was seen of the visitors as an attacking force for the rest of the half, although their defence, aided by some lenient refereeing to their frequent offsides, was solid and the Maroons created few opportunities themselves.Bradshaw fell short with a long range penalty attempt and the winger was also tackled on the 22 metre line after Charles Hough's clever pass had given him space to run into. Greg Moore, playing in unfamiliar centre position, made a promising break only to throw out a wild pass looking for the unmarked Hough on his wing. But Park finished the half a man down after lock Andrew Wilson was sin-binned for his side's persistent offending.
Morley looked to make their extra man advantage count at the start of the second half and after one forwards drive from the lineout were held up just short of the line, they tried again after opting to send the ball into the corner instead of kickiong for goal after a penalty. This time the rolling maul was successful as prop Gabriel burst over for a try converted by Bradshaw to reduce the deficit to three points.
Back came the visitors after they were restored to the full number and after backs and forwards combined through several phases Todd Harrison scampered over for a try in the 50th minute.A grat Hopton tackle on wing Chris McTurk prevented a further score, but the respite was only temporary as Darlington scored the game breaking try just before the hour when allowed to take a quick tap penalty from possibly the wrong mark after the referee had tried to play advantage on the opposite side of the pitch. McTuck was the fortunate scorer and it was 23-10.
Two more scores in the last ten minutes extended Park's lead and gave them a flattering final margin with forwards Wilson and Andy Tonkin going over and Connon finally adding one conversion at his sixth attempt.
To their credit, Morley kept going to the end and Bradshaw was unlucky to knock on within five metres of the line after their best flowing move of the game, as the game entered injury time. They were second best overall but could take some positives with the performance of the pack, particularly No.8 Hopton and the elusive running of winners Hough and Bradshaw.
Winner Paul Shepherd added a second try, finishing in the corner after good back play moved the ball from right to left. Connon missed his second convession attempt, but it was 13-3 with just 13 minutes gone.
Little more was seen of the visitors as an attacking force for the rest of the half, although their defence, aided by some lenient refereeing to their frequent offsides, was solid and the Maroons created few opportunities themselves.Bradshaw fell short with a long range penalty attempt and the winger was also tackled on the 22 metre line after Charles Hough's clever pass had given him space to run into. Greg Moore, playing in unfamiliar centre position, made a promising break only to throw out a wild pass looking for the unmarked Hough on his wing. But Park finished the half a man down after lock Andrew Wilson was sin-binned for his side's persistent offending.
Morley looked to make their extra man advantage count at the start of the second half and after one forwards drive from the lineout were held up just short of the line, they tried again after opting to send the ball into the corner instead of kickiong for goal after a penalty. This time the rolling maul was successful as prop Gabriel burst over for a try converted by Bradshaw to reduce the deficit to three points.
Back came the visitors after they were restored to the full number and after backs and forwards combined through several phases Todd Harrison scampered over for a try in the 50th minute.A grat Hopton tackle on wing Chris McTurk prevented a further score, but the respite was only temporary as Darlington scored the game breaking try just before the hour when allowed to take a quick tap penalty from possibly the wrong mark after the referee had tried to play advantage on the opposite side of the pitch. McTuck was the fortunate scorer and it was 23-10.
Two more scores in the last ten minutes extended Park's lead and gave them a flattering final margin with forwards Wilson and Andy Tonkin going over and Connon finally adding one conversion at his sixth attempt.
To their credit, Morley kept going to the end and Bradshaw was unlucky to knock on within five metres of the line after their best flowing move of the game, as the game entered injury time. They were second best overall but could take some positives with the performance of the pack, particularly No.8 Hopton and the elusive running of winners Hough and Bradshaw.