Rugby Lions secured the five-point bonus try victory thanks to a purple patch at the start of the second half when they scored three tries in eleven minutes. Apart from that it was a rather patchy performance from the home side with numerous handling errors especially in the first half. Loosing possession frequently on their own lineout did not help their cause. Despite this, they were camped in Morley’s half for almost the entire first period. Lion’s took an early lead on four minutes when Morley were penalised for not releasing the ball in the tackle. James Hawken slotted the kick from five metres inside the visitor’s half.

Morley play an attractive open game, with their impressive flanker come centre Craig Field again to the fore, as in the previous encounter at Scatcherd Lane, and they were testing Rugby’s defensive abilities to the full. With play into the fourth minute of added time, Morley reached the home 22 for the first time. A lovely chip through was carried on with the boot by wing Jon Hampsey who beat the defence to claim the try. It looked debatable as to whether the ball was grounded correctly, but the try was awarded to give Morley an unlikely half time lead. Perhaps a video replay would have cleared up the controversy, although judging by the Wales game, they can’t even get it right then.

Lion’s players must have had a roasting at half time, as they looked a different team at the start of the second period. A quick tap penalty on half way by Lloyd Warner was supported by Stuart Riding who freed Toby Handley down the left touchline. He was brought down two metres short of the line, but Lion’s players were up in numbers to ensure the ruck was secured. The ball was whipped to James Hawken in the fly-half position, and he crashed though four defenders to score Rugby’s first try of the afternoon. Hawken converted from wide for a 10-5 lead.

Shortly after Lion’s produced the try of the match. Ade Hales fielded the ball on his own 22 and set of on a typical run. He linked with Hawken and then Nash who popped the ball up to Tom Cheney. The ball was quickly spun left through Steve Clarke and Michael Rust before Hales took the ball on the left wing to score a lovely try. Hawken pushed the conversion attempt wide from the touchline. Lloyd Warner collected a loose pass from the visitors on half way. He chipped through and as the ball crossed the try line, Steve Clark tried to ground it but knocked the ball on. Morley’s relief was short-lived, however, as Scott Benson’s clearance kick from the five metre scrum went straight up in the air. The ball was moved left to Stuart Riding who strolled over for a try neat the uprights. At 22-5 the game looked relatively safe, but Morley had other ideas. They struck back almost immediately when Jon Hampsey ran the ball from his own 22. He chipped ahead and Michael Ash won the race for the touchdown by the posts

 Morley Preview

Last season Rugby Lions won the first game between the two clubs up at Scatcherd Lane quite comfortably by 38 points to 16, and took away five points. This season the first game was also at Morley’s ground and the score was very similar with Rugby winning once again by 31 points to 13. The second match last season, at Webb Ellis Road, was a much closer affair with Rugby stealing a 19 to 17 points victory very close to the final whistle, and Morley’s kicker failing to convert a last minute penalty.

This season Morley are currently in 12^th place with 5 wins, 10 defeats and 2 draws. All of their wins have been at home, against Leicester Lions, Beverley, Bradford & Bingley, Macclesfield and West Park. Their two drawn games were away at Macclesfield and West Park. Rugby, Fylde and Caldy inflicted home defeats while defeats on the road comprise Darlington MP, Harrogate, Hull, Bradford & Bingley, Preston, Tynedale and Leicester Lions.

Rugby Lions have only lost one game at Webb Ellis Road this season, whereas Morley have yet to win on the league road. The Lions will be smarting over their result at Priory Park last Saturday, and it is assumed that they will want to bury the memory of it under as big a pile of points as is possible. So, if the players are not already singing the ‘failed promotion blues’, they should win, especially if they can recall some of that inspired play that did for Tynedale and Preston.