Wetherby grind out big win to propel them up the league table

Marcus Little’s Barmy Army travelled to Morley for a much anticipated match against a team who have played at levels, at one time, that Wetherby could only dream about. At their peak Morley were playing in the equivalent of National Division 1, one step below the Premiership, and at a similar time Wetherby were languishing in Yorkshire 4, some 9 leagues between the two.

In recent times Wetherby have been charging up the leagues whilst Morley have settled in North East 2, just one division between us. So, the Wetherby faithful were expecting a very tough test and with a dearth of able backs, Coach Little opted to start two very able back row players in the centres, Tom Goodall and Dan McLeary, and what an inspired choice it was.

With A really strong pack including Shawsy, Land and Mason in the front row, the early signs were that Wetherby would be dominant in the forwards. Early scrums saw Wetherby push the Morley pack backwards and despite the heavy, wet ground, the Wetherby lads studs were holding whilst Morley slipped and slid.

With the evergreen Oates at scrum half the ball was being expertly distributed and Lawrence orchestrated the backs move to perfection with a full cross pitch move that saw the ball go through hands and into the Morley 22. With the home team under pressure Wetherby piled on the pressure with powerful runs from Shaw and Mason which eventually produced a penalty for Wetherby, duly converted by Shaw 0-3

However Morley were not going to be bullied and with a couple of their regular first teamers in the team, they piled on the pressure from the kick off and secured a penalty of their own – 3-3.

With a heavy mist over the ground and a light rain falling you could have been mistaken for thinking that it was going to be a forwards dominated game but this match had a remarkable amount of backs flair from both teams with the ball stretching both teams. Land was at every breakdown, foraging like a pig hunting for truffles, and regularly turned over the ball, Draper and Reid both incredibly agile around the pitch with gain line breaks and general nuisance making at the rucks.

Vying to be the oldest man on the pitch, but failing in the company of Oates 25 years his senior, Gibson defied the various ongoing injuries he was carrying, and used that famous turn of pace to good effect when given the slightest space to run in to. Lister was relishing the contact and created space for Oates to fly the ball out to Lawrence who let Goodall’s dummy run distract the opposition with McLeary running at pace into the gaps. But who should pop up on his shoulder but Mason, calmly waiting for the play to return to the area he was holding. His extra strength enabled him to drive in to the Morley 22 and an offload to Hardman could have created the first score but he was ably manhandled in to touch.

It seemed clear to the spectators that there was a lot of consistency between the 1sts and 2nds playing style, as was the case with the lineouts. Expertly marshalled by Shaw, Wetherby were as effective at their own line-out as they were with Morleys, Reid particularly effective in the air!
Morley’s defence was holding strong but consistent pressure from Kitching and Land eventually told, and Wetherby earned another penalty in front of the posts. Step up Shaw to convert – 3-6.

With their tails up, Wetherby were looking really strong. They were relishing the scrums and in another dominant phase for the forwards drove the Morley pack back a good 10 yards before gaining another penalty. Instructions from Coach Little were clear, go for the posts, get the points – but this team smelled blood and opted for another scrum which they duly pushed over the line for Draper to touch down. With the conversion dispatched by Shaw, Wetherby went 3-13 up.

But as the 1st half coming to a close Morley put on a final bit of pressure, camped in the Wetherby 22 and forcing Wetherby to throw everything in to defence in an attempt to keep the home side out. And Gibson succumbed to that pressure with a yellow despite declaring his innocence! And the home team found the gap in defence that they needed to get it over the line, conversion missed 8-13 at half time.

With only 2 subs, Blakey and Acland come on for Lister and Hardman. Wetherby kick off the 2nd half and make a very quick start. Immediately on the front foot, the ball is spun through hands to Hills who makes great progress down the wing but his foot found touch and Morley had a lineout in their own half. Aclands go-go-gadget arms were brought straight in to play as Wetherby stole the ball from the lineout and opened up an opportunity for Scurr to pile on the pace and run clear of the Morley defence. Conversion missed, 8-18.

Morley were not rolling over and again put Wetherby under severe pressure in their own 22 but the defence was well organised and held the home side out with a brilliant turnover at the ruck by Land. But shortly after he was adjudged to have high tackled the Morley 6 foot three 2nd row, and was given 10 minutes on the sidelines to recuperate for the final push.

Morley were taking advantage of the extra man and through persistence from their forwards, bundled the ball over the line but the Wetherby lads were more determined and held the ball up over the line, relieving the pressure.

In the final 5 minutes, Wetherby’s Oates gave the nod to the new winger, Blakey and from the back of the scrum attempted a cheeky chip over the Morley defence. Blakey was on it and powered through, surprisingly pacey for a man of his size and whilst he didn’t recover the ball, the Morley defence were forced in to a knock on and Wetherby saw the remainder of the game out camped in the Morley half. With one final penalty conceded by Morley the referee blew for full time.

A very good result against a strong Morley side that takes Wetherby above Morley in the league and in to 3rd place. 2 home matches at Grange Park next week with Wensleydale and Selby 2’s as visitors.

Josh Draper awarded Man of the Match - Sponsored by Christopher Philips Handmade Interiors.