MORLEY'S largely second team, with a smattering of first teamers, ground out a hard-earned win last Saturday in the Yorkshire Cup preliminary round.

Crossleyans also had a mixed squad and a lively game was played in a good spirit in difficult conditions with a greasy surface, not helped by rain and wind and well refereed by Dean Walker.

Morley started the better, aided by the wind, with fierce drives from Will Smyth, Ian Anderson, Sam Brown, Peter Dadswell and Will Nutbeen in the forwards and strong running from Neil Murray and Karl Bradshaw at centre.

Whenever Crossleyans had the ball they were denied space and time by quick, aggressive defence. This led to the first try as the home men tried to run the ball but were harried into making a mistake on halfway.

Karl Bradshaw, working his way back to match fitness, hacked on in midfield and won the chase to pick up just short of the line and dive over between the posts. He also converted.

Morley kept up the pressure and were playing well. Crossleyans were penalised for handling in the ruck and Karl Bradshaw landed a fine penalty.

From the re-start, Morley lost concentration and were forced to defend. Crossleyans were unlucky not to score when Treco, making his first appearance of the season, gave away a penalty for offside. The kick from home scrum-half Ed Cockcroft hit a post and Morley were able to scramble the ball clear.

Cockcroft had another chance a minute later but failed to take advantage and Morley began to re-establish their dominance.

After 24 minutes Nutbeen, a thorn in Crossleyans' side all afternoon, made a powerful break up the right. Peter Dadswell, captain for the day, was in support and fed Murray who was pulled down two metres short.

However, quick passing from scrum-half Jon Sheldon and stand-off Chris Newton made space for Treco to take the ball forward and pass to full-back Bradley Marshall. It seemed he would have to take the tackle and recycle but his strength took him and his tacklers over the line for a well-deserved try. The kick was too far out for Karl Bradshaw in the difficult conditions but Morley led 15-0.

From a scrum on half-way Sheldon enabled Murray to crash through once again and set Karl Bradshaw on a good run to the line. Desperate cover defence by just managed to stop winger Koby Gyasi taking the final pass and going over.

The Crossleyans' scrum-half was causing problems with his quickly-taken penalties. From one near half-way, he burst through a static defence and, although tackled by Marshall, he got a try-scoring pass to second row Richard Banham, who ran behind the posts to claim the five points and make the conversion a formality.

Thus, for all their dominance, Morley went into half-time holding only a 15-7 lead and with the wind to face .

Morley came out determined to impose themselves. Player-coach Murray broke down the centre and set up a good position as the forwards piled in to support him.