Morley 2nds 10-38 Falcons – Match Report
(Tries -J. Smith, C.Swift x2, J Cherry, T.Lee, H Ward. Con -T.Lee x4)
The much awaited rebirth of the development team started with a good win against a strong Morley side. The spread of ages from 18 to 45 demonstrating the ideal blend of youth and experience. Many of the team have come through the age grade system at Huddersfield and that passion for the jersey was present in spades from the off. The pre-season work and organisation was also evident as the early phases brought a huge amount of pressure on Morley who defended well. A series of penalties and lineouts resulted in the pressure eventually telling. A classic training field set up from a ruck on the Morley line saw Gavin Rhodes pop the ball inside to gnarled veteran Jack Smith who crashed over from 10 metres.
Morley responded with some pressure of their own. A couple of lineouts on the Huddersfield 5m line were defended well. Ethan Myers and Jack Smith getting a couple of good turnovers. Field then went back up the Morley end with Callum Swift scoring on his senior debut. Conversion Tom Lee.
The final stages of the half were dominated by Field. A powerful scrum gave Louis Raynor room to break from scrum half inside his own half. A dazzling run saw him draw the full back and feed Jack Cherry to score on his debut. 17-0 half time.
After a dominant first half Field switched off at half time. Morley scored early with a simple ‘tap and go’ charge. A second score came shortly after and Morley were flourishing. In retrospect this was a good learning experience for the young side. Good leadership and some calming words settled frayed nerves. Michael Anderson made a tremendous last ditch tackle by the corner flag to deny Morley a potentially levelling score and this turned the game back in Field’s favour.
Three tries in the final twenty restored confidence. Callum Swift had an unstoppable rampage bouncing off Morley defenders and crashing over for his second try. Ethan Myers made some huge hits across the pitch taking any steam out of an attempted Morley resurgence.
Tom Lee at fly half then started to find some space and an outrageous step parted the defence. Tom lit the afterburners and screeched in from half way and converted his own score.
The final try on the stroke of full time came for Henry Ward. Back playing for the first time in 20 years, Henry’s hard carrying and endeavour was rewarded with a try after bouncing off several defenders from five yards out. Tom Lee’s conversion brought full time.
This was an enjoyable and rewarding run out for all involved. 23 players were used and all contributed. Several debutants really stood up and did the shirt proud.
Man of the Match – Ethan Myers
