Beverley 13

By Dennis Elam

MORLEY bounced back from the previous week’s defeat in style and swept back to the top of National Three North with a six-try spree at Scatcherd Lane.

The Maroons were clearly determined to atone for the setback at Penrith and played some of their best attacking rugby of the season.

Simon Bradshaw recovered from illness to take over from brother Karl on the left wing but lock Jon Stannard was absent after suffering with flu all week. Sean Burke came in for him and Bradley Marshall was on the bench.

Morley’s intentions were soon clear. Beverley kicked off with the slight wind in their favour but the Maroons promptly launched a sweeping move from their ‘22 as Michael Ash broke and produced a trademark burst down the right to half-way.

Sean Dadswell, Mark Chester and Craig Field moved the ball smoothly to the left to Bradshaw, who beat his opposite number on the outside and cut inside the full-back, holding off a tackle from the covering centre to score at the corner.

Bradshaw added a magnificent touchline goal and Morley were on their way.

They almost staged a repeat but Bradshaw was just tackled as he put in a neat grubber kick.

Beverley had good spells of possession but rarely looked like cracking the tight Morley defence and their first points came when Durham University student Phil Duboulay landed a penalty goal for holding onto the ball.

Morley quickly responded and when Beverley went over the top at a ruck set up by the effervescent Liam Frost, Bradshaw landed the penalty goal.

Morley opened out at every opportunity. Burke and Chris Morgan worked well up the right and Morgan was brought down five metres short.

Good rucking by Danny Chamberlain and Paul Gabriel gave Sean Dadswell time to move the ball to Chester, who sent a well-judged kick across field for Frost to gather and score with ease. Bradshaw converted.

After 28 minutes Morgan came off with a back injury following a heavy tackle. Marshall came on and went to outside centre, his preferred position, and Frost took over on the wing.

Beverley plugged away and gained some reward with a penalty goal by Duboulay for a high tackle to make it 17-6 at half-time.

Morley were clearly determined there would be no second half fade-out on this occasion and went in search of a bonus point. Following a turnover seized on by Steve Hewetson, the Maroons set up a driving maul.

The visiting defence was drawn in and the ball was slipped out to Chester, who broke a tackle and scored near the posts, Bradshaw converted.

Morley almost scored a fourth straight from the re-start as Field ran 30 metres from half-way, Peter Dadswell and Chamberlain continued the move but Beverley survived.

Morley were camped on the Beverley line. Alan Benn and James Darbyshire drove the ball in, Chamberlain supported before Field went over for the crucial fourth try and a bonus point.