Both York and Morley have had two weeks off before meeting at Scatcherd Lane. It was second against third in the league. Morley got an away win by a point at York earlier in the season. York named a strong team - Declan Cusack at fly-half with Will Fordy outside him at twelve. Shane Goulding was unavailable at No.8 so Cade Robinson moved there. Chris Fox and Luke Stockton were the four and five. The front-row has been consistent all season; John Aikman, Ross White and Will Scholey continued there. Eddie Westaby was the front-row replacement.

For a 3pm kick-off in January, it was predictably cold. The grass on the pitch was quite long and underfoot it was soft but not muddy. York started well, the basics were good. The scrum strong, the line-out accurate and the ball handling was reliable. After five minutes of York territorial pressure, Sam Forbes (outside-centre) broke a midfield tackle fifteen metres out and scored. Declan kicked the conversion. Only a few minutes later, York set up a driving maul from an attacking line-out. They put on the structured squeeze for the five metres they needed and Oscar Bell scored from the base of the maul. Conversion missed. Morley retained possession in York’s half and Declan’s voice was clear as he guided the defensive line. Morley winger, Jake Dearden, did find some space against a stretched York defence though and he scored in the corner. Mark Chester kicked the extras.

Declan kicked a penalty after the ball shot out of a Morley scrum before York scored their third try. From a steady attacking scrummage, Will Fordy passed long and accurately despite the wind. The pass was perfectly in front of winger, Rob Hodges, who had timed his run well. Rob ran in to score, the conversion was missed. Morley were next to score. Rob Hodges came in off his defensive wing to protect against a Morley overlap but Jake Dearden kept his width. Mark Chester found him with an accurate pass. The conversion was good again for Morley. York got their try bonus point just before half-time. John Aikman collected a Morley twenty-two restart. He passed to Luke Stockton who broke a centre-field tackle. Luke passed to Chris Fox in support who in turn fed Will Scholey to make the final ten metres to complete the try. The conversion was good, Morley 14 York 27 at the break.

Both teams were disciplined and neither conceded many penalties. The ball handling from Morley and York was safe. With the wind in their favour, Morley retained good possession to begin the second-half. Mark Chester kicked a penalty and Morley re-worked attacking possession from the re-start. They attacked the York try-line and Chris Fox conceded a penalty and picked up a yellow card for his sin. Mark chose the posts again,Morley were now within seven points. York attacked the Morley line again with secure possession but left the Morley twenty-two with no points. Morley released the pressure and kicked long down-field, they won a penalty and Mark kicked them to within four points.

York scored a crucial try which put two scores between the teams. They had secure possession and a driving maul from close to the Morley line got them over with Lewis Hannibal dotting down. Declan kicked the conversion. Morley tried to get back in to the game with ten minutes to go but the York fullback, Liam Hessay, secured the game with a breakaway try from half-way. The conversion was good again. In the final few minutes Declan kicked accurately to the wing in his own half and Will Fordy juggled, collected, evaded a tackle then ran sixty metres with ball in hand to score. Rob also got his second try after a turnover in midfield. Declan kicked one from two and the final score was Morley 23 York 53.

Driffield drew their match so York are now top of the league after a very sound performance. York play Pocklington at home next Saturday, 3pm kick off.