WORK TO DO

Morley finally had the chance to lay to rest their Twickenham nightmare of 2006. It was the only chance they could they also took their try scoring chances during the game
A final score of 18-14 to visitors Morley was in the end a disappointing result as Stockport had led this match 14-8 at the interval, having played some excellent attacking rugby and defended positively. However despite the loss to a side that had been in the National leagues last year there was enough to provide encouragement and some pointers for improvement.
After a bright start, which produced an unsuccessful penalty attempt for Stockport on the Morley 22. It was Morley who got the first points with a penalty as Stockport killed a ruck ball. But Stockport were soon on the attack again and Dan Eccles was put into touch just a metre short of the Morley line. Stockport flanker John Wilson secured a loose ball on the ground and it was sent out to fly-half Dave Reece, who made a great break through the Morley defence to put Andy Fuller in under the posts, Reece also provided the conversion. Man of the match Reece made another telling break from half way to go 30 metres and provide a scoring pass for stand in lock Hugo Corbett, Reece converted again to give Stockport an impressive 14-3 lead. Morley took a scrum on the Stockport 22 and moved the ball back inside to get a score in the corner, there was no conversion, 14-8. Stockport then ran out of defence and a kick from wing Drew took play into the Morley 22, Stockport won the line out and moved the ball with Newton going in under the post but the ref. judged a pass to have been forward.
The second half started with play concentrated in the centre of the field, with neither side getting any real advantage until a penalty gave Stockport an attacking line out 10 metres out from the Morley line. Somehow the Morley back row and skipper, Craig Field won the ball and ran almost unchallenged 60 metres and released his supporting backs, with all the Stockport defence having been committed to attack at the lineout Morley were able to score a second try, this one converted to take a one point lead 14-15. Stockport then had a great period of pressure, the forwards driving to the Morley line from a lineout but as the ball was moved replacement fly-half Phil Leigh failed to get the ball out and was penalised for holding on after the tackle. Morley’s experience than began to tell as they played a good territorial game, keeping the pressure on Stockport. As the home side conceded a number of penalties Morley eventually got one in a kickable position and converted it to take an 18-14 lead. Stockport had one last good attack and it seemed as if Craig Cooper was clear but again there had been a forward pass. Morley controlled the last ten minutes of the game with good defence as Stockport desperately tried to create a scoring chance, after missing one last penalty shot at goal.