Morley RFC U12s visited Roundhegians at their Memorial Ground near Moortown, playing in heavy muddy conditions which proved to be a handicap for both sides.

Roundhegians kicked-off enabling Morley to have early possession, with which the forwards initially produce some good phases of rucking and mauling. The first half saw both teams trying to gain the upper-hand, but neither side actually did, with scoring chances few and far between. An evenly matched half resulted in the half-time score of 0-0.

Morley restarted after the interval and found Roundhegians continuing were they had left off from the first half, keeping the ball tight amongst their forwards. Morley then managed to open the scoring with a powerful run coming from forward Luke Metcalfe to crash through the Roundhegians defence and ground the ball for a try. Luke then aptly converted it with his trusty boot and Morley were 7-0 up.

Roundhegians didn't take kindly to this and kicked the restart deep into Morley's half. Morley struggled to clear and from the resulting Roundhegians chase they scored in the left-hand corner with Morley's defence at sixes and sevens.

As the second half continued the game started to open up with both teams making good breaks but lacking the finishing prowess. Then came what appeared to be a controversial refereeing decision when forward Oliver Ayers touched down for Morley's second try, possibly from an offside position, when the ball rolled back to him and over the Roundhegians goal line. Luke Metcalfe added the conversion to increase Morley's lead to 14-7.

Roundhegians again seem to raise their game and were able to score and tie the match at 14-14. As the half petered out Roundhegians looked the more likely to add to their tally. Albeit for several last gasp Morley tackles near their line and showing relief when the final whistle sounded.

These sort of games would have been previously lost and the conditions didn't help Morley to play their recent flowing rugby.

A warm welcome to new player Alex Kelly.


FINAL SCORE: Roundhegians 14 - 14 Morley

Try Scorers:
Luke Metcalfe and Oliver Ayers.

Conversions:
Luke Metcalfe (2).

Team:
Luke Metcalfe, Joe Horner, TJ Cook, Oliver Ayers, Reece Sharp, Liam Hollings, Benjamin Clay, Edward Kelly, Daniel Hirst, Joe Firth, Alex Stevenson, Ryley Wan, Laurence Earnshaw, Sam Hood, Ben Stringer, Josh Cowling and Alex Kelly.

Morley RFC U12s entertained local rivals Bramley Phoenix at Scatcherd Lane, playing in dull, windy and damp conditions.

Morley kicked-off and from the resultant Bramley possession, found themselves under pressure deep in their own half and with poor Morley defending following, Bramley opened the scoring immediately with an unconverted try.

Morley's first attack of the game saw some powerful running from burly centre Ryley Wan as Morley seemed to settle down, but it was Bramley who struck next when they went over for their second try. This time it was converted to make the score-line 12-0.

A quick verbal rebuke from Coach John Firth followed and Morley responded well. Again through a surging run from Ryley 'The Man' Wan and admirably supported by stand in hooker Joe Horner, the latter forcing his way over for a Morley try. Second row forward Reece Sharp added the conversion and Morley were right back in the game at 12-7 down.

For the rest of the first half Morley grew in confidence and had plenty of possession due to the cohesion of the forward unit, but were unable to add any more points to their tally. But also managing to keep on top of the Bramley attacks when required, giving a half-time score of 12-7.

After the break Morley scored when prop Luke Metcalfe powered his way through the Bramley defence to tie the score at 12-12. Unfortunately, Reece Sharp hit the upright whilst converting.

Next Morley let Bramley take the lead again with more poor tackling to go behind 19-12. But then came the highlight of the match when Morley's Ryley Wan, ran deep from his own half down the left-hand side, spinning like a top as he went to thwart the Bramley tacklers and capping off a superb solo effort, diving over the Bramley try-line. Luke Metcalfe converted and the match was tied again.

Some good defending followed especially from stand in full-back Laurence Earnshaw but again Morley let themselves down, when the Bramley captain strolled through for the last try of the game. Morley had plenty of time and possession afterwards but they couldn't manage to get back on level terms and so just lost out as the final whistle went.

Although Morley were unlucky to lose this close encounter, Morley showed good technique and skill but couldn't quite finish when needed. An excellent team performance which pleased the Morley coaches and spectators alike.


FINAL SCORE: Morley 19 - 26 Bramley Phoenix

Try Scorers:
Joe Horner, Luke Metcalfe and Ryley Wan.

Conversions:
Reece Sharp and Luke Metcalfe.

Team:
Luke Metcalfe, Joe Horner, TJ Cook, Oliver Ayers, Reece Sharp, Liam Hollings, Benjamin Clay, Daniel Hirst, Joe Firth, Alex Stevenson, Ryley Wan, Laurence Earnshaw, Sam Hood, Ben Stringer and Josh Cowling.

Morley U12s V Barnsley U12s

For the new rugby season Morley U12s' travelled to Sandal, Wakefield to play a couple of matches against the hosts and fellow loiners West Park Leeds. Playing conditions were good and dry although overcast.

Sandal were the opponents in the first game and chose to kick-off with Morley replying steadily with early possession, but as soon as Sandal had their hands on the ball they quickly moved the ball left via their backs and scored comfortably in the corner.

Morley restarted and Sandal immediately scored another try, with one of their players strolling through the poor defending and tackling from the Morley team to make the score 10-0. Unfortunately this was to be the pattern for the rest of the game, with Sandal virtually scoring at will.

Sandal's next score came down the right hand side, after another good handling display from the backs and just to prove that the forwards could get in on the act, they easily pushed over Morley's line for the fourth try.

After some more excellent running play from Sandal's fly-half the outcome was another try for Sandal and just before half-time it could have been worse but for a timely block from Morley's full-back, Cameron Wallis to stop the kick through.

Morley went into the half-time interval trailing 25-0 and no sign of getting back into the match.

In the second half Morley came out fighting but had no real answer to the superior organised and relentless waves of pressure on display from Sandal. All which showed why they are regarded as one of the best sides in Yorkshire. Running in a further five tries to none. Morley's players and spectators alike were thankful for the final whistle.

FINAL SCORE: Sandal 50 - 0 Morley.

Team:
Luke Metcalfe, Joe Horner, Liam Hollings, TJ Cook, Benjamin Clay, Reece Sharp, Joe Firth, Alex Stevenson, Ryley Wan, Laurence Earnshaw, Sam Hood, Ben Stringer, Cameron Wallis and Josh Cowling.

In the second game West Park Leeds started proceedings and Morley carried on were they had left off against Sandal with poor defensive play and no real tackling prowess.

So it wasn't long before West Park Leeds had scored the first of their four tries in the first half. Morley didn't help themselves by making basic errors like kicking their 15m drop out straight into touch, and the resulting scrum set piece producing the last of West Park Leeds' tries.

Just before the end of the first half Morley managed a few good phases of rugby to give their spectators some hope for the second half. But, none came as West Park Leeds again ran in another four tries to match the first half display.

Morley were always going to be up against it today with playing two useful sides but they didn't help themselves by producing one of their worst performances in a long time.

FINAL SCORE: West Park Leeds 40 - 0 Morley.

Team:
Luke Metcalfe, Joe Horner, Liam Hollings, TJ Cook, Benjamin Clay, Reece Sharp, Joe Firth, Alex Stevenson, Ryley Wan, Laurence Earnshaw, Sam Hood, Ben Stringer, Cameron Wallis and Josh Cowling.

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Morley U12s' took another away trip to Hipperholme, to play a couple of training games against the hosts, Old Brodleians and fellow visitors Baildon, in cool and cloudy playing conditions.

Old Brods were the opponents in the first game and chose to kick-off while Morley had the disadvantage of running up the hill.

Initially the run of play was with Old Brods' forwards but the Morley defence seemed to keep them at bay, and a fine penalty kick from fly-half Joe Horner into touch, relieved the early territorial pressure.

Again Old Brods came close to scoring and were 'held-up' by a valiant tackle from Morley forward Reece Sharp. But, from the resultant 5m scrum Old Brods managed to open the scoring with a converted try.

Morley restarted and straight away an Old Brods' back went over for the second try, with the real culprit being some poor defending and tackling coming from Morley. The slowness of the reaction from Morley's pack was highlighted as well.

Morley went into the half-time interval trailing 14-0.

In the second half and playing down the slope, Morley seemed to 'up the ante' with a better display on show. Joe Firth and Reece Sharp producing knock-ons from their opponents with crunching tackles.

Neither side could dominate as the game ebbed and flowed with several scrums and line-out set pieces taking place. Morley defended well and again a good clearance kick from Joe Horner found touch.

Eventually Old Brods managed to score a third try to make the score-line 19-0 and as the game drew to an end Morley's full-back Josh Cowling managed a couple of surging solo runs.

Morley were slow starters and second best to Old Brods but the overall performance did get better as the game went on.

FINAL SCORE: Old Brodleians 19 - 0 Morley.

Team:
Luke Metcalfe, Joe Horner, Liam Hollings, Edward Kelly, Benjamin Clay, Reece Sharp, Oliver Ayers, Daniel Hirst, Joe Firth, Alex Stevenson, Ryley Wan, Sam Hood, Ben Stringer and Josh Cowling.



In the second game Baildon started proceedings and Morley initially started well, taking the game to Baildon. But as the first half progressed Baildon raised their game as well, applying territorial advantage to open the scoring from a Morley scrum close to their line.

Again from another scrum Morley had to defend well as a unit and managed to 'hold up' the Baildon attack. Baildon kept up the pressure and unfortunately from a Morley point of view, managed to breach the Morley line for a second time to make the half-time score 14-0.

Just like the first game Morley seemed to respond better in the second half and showed better commitment to match Baildon in all areas on the pitch. Especially some ferocious tackling and defending from prop Edward Kelly leading the way.

Both sides' defensive play was excellent and that was reflected by the fact that neither side managed to score in the second period.

Although Morley had nothing to show for their pleasing performance result wise, there were a lot of positives on display, and hopefully they will take these forward into the new season.

FINAL SCORE: Baildon 14 - 0 Morley.

Team:
Luke Metcalfe, Joe Horner, Liam Hollings, Benjamin Clay, Reece Sharp, Edward Kelly, Daniel Hirst, Joe Firth, Alex Stevenson, Ryley Wan, Ben Stringer and Josh Cowling.

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Morley RFC U12s travelled South down the 'A1' to link up with Wheatley Hills from Doncaster, for a pre-season training game on what turned out to be a hot sultry Sunday.

Wheatley Hills started proceedings with the kick-off and from the resultant Morley possession, the ball found new right wing Ben Stringer for an early run down the touchline before being tackled into touch.

Wheatley Hills first attack of the game saw some good defending from Morley centre Ryley Wan, blunting the Wheatley Hills' back runs. But it was fly-half Joe Horner's clearance kick from the Morley scrum which relieved the Wheatley Hills' pressure.

Again Wheatley Hills came on the attack as one of their backs jinked in and out of Morley's right-hand side and showed a clean pair of heels to open the scoring.

Next Morley retaliated with a run from scrum-half Joe Firth after another Morley scrum set piece, only to be put into 'defence mode' with help from prop Luke Metcalfe to stop another Wheatley Hills attack. The first period ended with Wheatley Hills marginally leading 7-0.

After a quick break and plenty of water, Morley restarted the action and the highlights from a Morley point of view in the evenly matched second period, was a good chase from full-back Cameron Wallis, but no more additions to the score from either side.

The third period mirrored the second. With both sides vying for the upperhand, and saw some excellent defensive tackling from Morley's team. Especially superb contributions coming from little Joe Firth.

Morley's best chance of the game fell to forward Luke Metcalfe, only for him to be well tackled just short of Wheatley Hills' try line and new left wing Josh Cowling stretched the Wheatley Hills' defence after receiving a quick pass from No. 8 Benjamin Clay.

From the last period's restart by Morley and indecision by Wheatley Hills' defence, Morley had another great attacking chance, but unfortunately couldn't take any real advantage.

Next, Morley were again on the attack from a scrum, and set up a good opportunity when the ball was passed through the backs to the left-hand side only for the final pass failing to go to hand.

The last few seconds saw a resurgent Wheatley Hills team attacking the Morley line, but from solid defending from the whole team, managed to keep them at bay, making the final score 7-0.

Although Morley were unlucky to lose this close encounter, Morley showed good commitment and created several opportunities to score but couldn't quite finish when needed. An excellent work out for all.

A warm welcome to new wingers on debut, Ben Stringer and Josh Cowling.

FINAL SCORE: Wheatley Hills 7 - 0 Morley

Team:
Luke Metcalfe, Joe Horner, TJ Cook, Oliver Ayers, Reece Sharp, Liam Hollings, Benjamin Clay, Daniel Hirst, Joe Firth, Alex Stevenson, Ryley Wan, Laurence Earnshaw, Sam Hood, Cameron Wallis, Ben Stringer and Josh Cowling.