Morley 14 - 3 Cleckheaton

Morley continued their successful 2009 with a hard earned and ultimately deserved victory against their local neighbours. Cleckheaton's ongoing merry-go-round of players was once again tested to the limit, only this time one of the changes was premeditated in bringing former Moorend favourite Geoff Jones into the back row to add steel and experience to the team's outlook. Ryan Piercy was working overseas and Nick Wainwright and Owen Edwards were also unavailable again owing to work commitments. For the first quarter of the match Cleckheaton dominated territorially without ever really pressurising the Morley line. However, it was the visitors who opened the scoring when Ross Hayden kicked a penalty in the sixth minute.

Both sides intent was obvious from the start with both No 10's Pete Murphy and Morley's Mark Chester kicking deep for position. In Joe Massarella Cleckheaton had a full back who was willing to create attack from defence and on several occasions he made ground with the help of his back three colleagues. Along with fellow Leeds student Mitch Ashworth and the highly talented Ross Hayden the club has a developing potent attacking trio who, given the ball in the right areas of the field, will surely score tries.

Morley gradually came into the game and in the twenty sixth minute Simon Bradshaw levelled the scores with a penalty. From this point on Morley started to keep the ball for lengthy periods and Cleckheaton had to be on their mettle in defence. On the half hour mark Chester chipped over the Cleckheaton defence and speedy winger Chris Morgan slid in for the game's only try wide out on the right. Both sides continued to roll mauls and kick for position but it was the home side who executed their game plan better and in the thirty fifth minute Mark Chester dropped a goal from twenty metres.

The only score in the second half was a further penalty goal from Simon Bradshaw and although Cleckheaton strove hard for parity they lacked a cutting edge to break through a resolute Morley defence.

The feeling at Moorend is that the team has regained it's composure following two woeful displays earlier in the month against West Park and Mowden Park. Morley are a disciplined and highly spirited outfit with no real stars but a collective desire to maximise their ability. As a result they are at the top of the league and it is a benchmark for Cleckheaton to strive for. Certain individuals have the experience to step up the tempo and demand more consistent efforts from their mates. There is very little difference between the top and bottom sides in this league and on their day Cleck will beat the best.