An unusual 3pm start with sunshine and a great crowd saw the Foresters take on the visitors from Morley.
Playing up hill to begin with, the Dalesmen showed great promise with some strong carries from Sumner, Roddis and loose head prop Hall. However, the opposition, despite being penalised for high tackles, generally absorbed the Greens efforts. In fact, the visitors began to apply pressure on the Foresters, encamping in their 22.
Despite some resilient defence from Wharfedale, Morley took the lead in the eighth minute scoring a try which was converted. (0-7)
An excellent restart saw the Foresters regather the kick off and make metres. Morley were on the back foot from the momentum gained and Dale went through several phases before outside centre, Charlie Caygill scored a great try which was converted, 7-7.
Nearly quarter of an hour passed before the next score. The Greens were just edging this tense and tightly contested match. The home side was looking more organised with a bit more athleticism across the park. Scores came on the 26th, 30th and 36th minutes, through Ellison, Bullock and Roddis respectively. The latter an excellent effort from a turnover ball in the Greens twenty-two. Inside centre, Alfie Roddis, made a sixty meter break to score under the posts to take the halftime score to 26-7. Unfortunately, the young centre sustained an injury and left the pitch.
Playing down the hill with replacements on the pitch, the home team were quickly out of the blocks. Hooker, Josh Charnley scoring just after the break. (31-7).
Charlie Caygill scored another try, breaking several tackles enroute to the line. This took the Greens out to 38-7 after approximately ten minutes.
Morley to their credit came back hard at the Greens. The young team defended their line strongly. However, after a quick tap penalty Morley scored and took the score to 38-12 after 22 minutes.
The Foresters’ half backs began to use the slope and breeze to put their team back into the opposition’s half anytime Morley began to threaten Dale.
Another two quick tries, one from each side, ensued.
The first from the Greens after a dominant midfield scrum and several phases scored through Ollie Bullock (who had moved to inside centre). Score 43-12.
Two minutes later and a fighting Morley team scored their third try of the day around the 71st minute. Score 43-19.
Players on both sides were tiring and this led to more space. The home team managed a further two tries in the last five minutes through flanker, M. Snowden and stand off, J Middleton , making the final score,55-19.
Team: – 1. P Hall, 2. J Charnley, 3. J Bentley, 4. J Beecroft, 5. Z Philip, 6. H Ellison, 7. M Snowden, 8. E Sumner, 9. O Bullock, 10. J Middleton, 11. O Riley, 12. A Roddis, 13. C Caygil, 14. A Brewster, 15. F Barnwell* (goal kicker).
Replacements: – 16. J Kitching, 17 D. Stockdale, 18. W Sutcliffe, 19. W Hargreaves, 20 S. Godfrey