Bradford & Bingley 17, Morley 11

The wind, rain and hail which lashed down the Aire Valley for much of the 80 minutes means yesterday's SSE National League Three North West Yorkshire derby will not last long in the memories of those who braved the storms to watch two largely evenly matched sides slug it out in the forwards.

There was little chance for either side to get the ball moving in their backs, and when Bradford & Bingley did try and spread the ball it was almost inevitable that they should concede an interception try as Morley’s leading scorer this season, Simon Bradshaw, was able to zip away from his own 22 to bring the visitors within a point at 12-11 with 55 minutes played.

However, where interception scores have turned games against the Wagon Lane side on a number of occasions this season, the Bees knuckled down to grind out a win and keep Morley pinned down in their half of the field.

Bradshaw opened the scoring for the visitors with a brace of penalties on seven and 17 minutes and his side possibly had the better of the opening quarter. The Bees gradually began to establish better field position and there was only one possible destination as Phil Greaves set off on a headlong charge for the line after 28 minutes.

Greaves bulldozed through a Morley tackler to claim the five points. With Gavin Stead adding the extras it was 7-6 as another icy blast sent many spectators scurrying indoors.

The score remained as it was as the sides turned round and Bradford & Bingley's increasing solid platform up front was rewarded as Richard Scull pinched a score with seven minutes played after the break.

Bradshaw’s breakaway score brought Morley back into the game but the visitors were never able to maintain any consistent threat to the home line, and when Stewart Brewer ploughed over just past the hour mark, the Bees looked like they might kick on again and claim an important fourth score but were denied by a dogged Morley defence.