Morley have a rich rugby union history and they met York in North East One today. Morley have won one and lost one so far this season (West Leeds and Morpeth respectively) while York have had a promising start to their season, beating Driffield and Consett in their first two fixtures.
Emerson Bessell made his debut for York at twelve, outside of the reliable Liam Hessay at fly-half. In the forwards, Dan Coe started as prop forward and Campbell Thomson played at seven. Morley have been a little hampered by injuries in the early season, Brandon Hannam featured in their forwards at number Eight with young Canadian, Thomas Isherwood playing at full-back. Andy Ellis captained the team from inside-centre.

The conditions were great for rugby, it was a physical start to the game and both teams had opportunities to use the wide pitch to attack. The defences were sound and Liam Hessay displayed good decision making for York. Shane Goulding (flanker) made a break in midfield and was supported well by Campbell Thomson who returned the ball to him to score. Liam kicked the conversion. Joe Maud always made metres when carrying the ball and George Davies was showing composure at full-back. York extended their lead when a Morley clearance kick landed in the arms of Gareth Singleton (wing) who powered twenty five metres to score in the corner. The conversion bounced out off a post.

The York back-row were showing mobility, power and experience but were depleted when Joe Maud was injured. As York re-structured, Thomas Isherwood found some space and scored in the corner for Morley. He missed his own conversion. York were able to reply quickly though, a scrum was set thirty metres from the Morley line and the ball was distributed to George Davies who passed to Gareth Singleton at pace. He strode home again, Hessay added an excellent conversion. Josh Parker's injury just before half-time made it a double blow to York's back-row and Johnny Graham (Morley wing) was able to compound this and bring Morley right back in to the game. He scored after a nice pass from Andy Ellis. The conversion was accurate and it made the score tight, 12-19 to York at half-time.

York still looked dangerous when they attacked with Davies creating opportunities for Singleton and Rob Hodges on the other wing, but a run of penalties saw Morley threaten. There followed two decisive moments for Liam Hessay in the game, York spoiled an attacking Morley line-out and he was able to gain forty metres with a beauty of a kick. Then, with the game in the balance, he made an interception and ran seventy-five metres to score without being touched. He added the conversion to make it a convincing lead. Harrison Bayliss (outside-centre) charged down a York clearance and scored for Morley with the conversion added. There was a single score difference and Morley were trying to play but York appeared more accurate. Shane Goulding effectively sealed the game ten minutes from time when he broke a tackle on the blind side of a scrum and ran in from his own half. It was an important score and the fact that the conversion was missed didn't change the result. Luke Stockton (second-row) put the ‘icing on the cake’ on a well-earned York victory after the York pack mauled forward for thirty metres to score.

The victory sees York's momentum continue. They play Percy Park at home next week while Morley visit Pocklington. Well played to both teams on an entertaining game of regional rugby and best wishes to all injured players.