DMPRFC 106 v MORLEY RFC 0

Morley RFC arrived on the back of some recent bad results and were perhaps expected to come second, but to come so far second will obviously be a worry to a proud club with a magnificent history, but whose problems probably need addressing immediately to stop any further decline.

However, ‘to the victors the spoils’ as they say and the biggest victory in DMPRFC’s league history was emphatic and entertaining, as everything clicked against a side that apparently was struggling, with personnel difficulties.

Regardless of the score, there were opportunities missed in the game, although DMPRFC players could be forgiven for those that were spurned for whatever reason, as games with winning margins such as these don’t happen very often and the home side focussed well to keep the scoreboard ticking over on a regular basis.

Morley were outgunned in every department and as the game progressed, they found themselves hopelessly lacking in leadership and proficiency, although there were several experienced players on the pitch.

From the kick off, the writing was on the wall, as DMPRFC gathered, set up the ball and made progress into the opposition 22 from a high kick by scrum half Zylon McGAFFIN. Morley lost the scrum and Danny DIXON opened the scoring with a break from No. 8, waltzing through a static defence to score (5 – 0). Tom HODGSON missed his first conversion, but there was success to follow later in that respect for the player.

From the restart, the ball was secured and flung out wide right, then back left, with skipper Junior FAGALILO involved in the inter-passing, finding winger Shaun McCARTNEY, who handed off his opposite number to roar in down the touchline (10 – 0). This time Tom HODGSON opened his kicking account successfully (12 – 0).

With Morley looking bewildered and not able to secure any possession, the home side applied relentless pressure and from an attacking lineout and series of pick and drives, lock Andy WILSON forced his way over near the posts (17 – 0). Again Tom HODGSON was successful (19 – 0).

Morley tried to compete, but DMPRFC were not to be denied and after good inter-passing in midfield by forwards and backs, Danny DIXON made in-roads into the heart of the Morley defence, offloading to lively scrum half Zylon McGAFFIN to score the bonus point try after only 16 minutes of play (24 – 0), again with Tom HODGSON converting (26 – 0).

DMPRFC sensed that Morley were capitulating fast and were in no mood for sentiment, focussed on adding to the scoreboard.

At this point DMPRFC lost young, influential flanker Liam RILEY with an ankle injury, to be replaced by Will McCAULAY.

Try scoring business resumed with Chris PEACE scything through the midfield for a score (31 – 0), again converted by Tom HODGSON, who to be fair was being helped by his playing colleagues by the try placements, however, conversions still have to be slotted (33 – 0).

Morley were trying to steady the sinking ship with some desperate wise words behind the posts, however, these words appeared to fall on deaf ears, as once the game had restarted, the fight seemed to peter out.
Another try down the wing by the powerful Shaun McCARTNEY followed (38 – 0), with replacement Will McCAULAY pitching in from the restart, having been heavily involved in the build up, deserved the end result (43 – 0). Tom HODGSON converting (45 – 0).

Morley’s cause wasn’t helped by the sin-binning of a player at this time, in his teams efforts to stop the rot.

There was still time for two more tries before oranges, as Danny DIXON socred his brace (50 – 0) and winger Chris McTURK scored the first of his hat- trick, Tom HODGSON converting both for a half time score of 59 – 0.

Morley appeared shocked and devastated in the half-time huddle and even though wise words were heard from a senior injured player drafted in to take over for the day, the team were visibly dejected, not looking forward to the second half.

In contrast, the DMPRFC huddle was obviously more upbeat about the next forty minutes, but wise words of calm and focus were the order of the day.

The start of the second half began in identical fashion to the first for DMPRFC, as from the kick off, they won the ball and scrum half Zylon McGAFFIN fashioned an opportunity of his own, sneaking through a poor defence to score under the posts (64 – 0), assisted in the afters by Tom HODGSON (66 – 0).

Onlookers were already sensing a big score and as matters progressed, nothing else was ever in doubt, as the Morley faithful in the stands could only look on in bewilderment.

Zylon McGAFFIN was straight back in the action three minutes later, contributing to Chris McTURK’s brace, as the latter took off on a mazy run, towards the posts and even a tap tackle which brought him down initially was to no avail for Morley, as his simply got up to score under the posts (71 – 0), with Tom HODGSON again obliging (73 – 0).

Some changes were made by Morley in order to try to inject some impetus, but it was not the answer, as McTURK scored his hat-trick (78 – 0) and Tom HODGSON again converted (80 – 0).

Zylon McGAFFIN took advantage of some poor back of the scrum communication and nipped in to pick up the ball, for seemingly a simple run to the line for the score. But rather than score himself, he flipped the ball to the tireless workman Luke WISHNOWSKI who was in support, who obliged accordingly (85 – 0), with again Tom HODGSON enjoying a simple conversion (87 – 0).

Again, it was no surprise when from a line out on halfway, the ball was flung out wide and then brought back for Luke WISHNOWSKI to burst through the gap in the centre of the pit6ch to score, again under the posts (93 – 0), with Tom HODGSON securing more afters (95 – 0).

DMPRFC took off Zylon McGAFFIN with his days graft over and introduced Todd HARRISON, to a game already well secured.

Yung prop Ben SIMPSON went on for DMPRFC, to replace the ever youthful Dan MILLER, who had done his shift well.

With twenty minutes of the game to go, the century was always on the cards and so it came, when Chris PEACE showed his strength to beat defenders and score under the posts to take the score to 99 – 0, with the three figures coming with the conversion from Tom HODGSON and 101 – 0.

There was still time for prop Ralph APPLEBY to score a cheeky try on the wing after relentless pressure on the Morley line wide out (106 – 0).

Some obvious frustration did creep into the game at the end somewhat, when a player from each side were shown yellow cards, but that did not detract from the thoroughly convincing display by the league leaders.