Match report:

BOOTHTOWN TERRIERS 22 MORLEY BOROUGH 8

SCORERS TRENT ASHTON 1 TRY SIMON JEVONS 1 TRY JASON DODD 1 TRY WAYNE STEEL 1 TRY

PAUL RAWSON 3 GOALS

The battle of the bottom 2 clubs in division 2 went the way of Boothtown who gave themselves an outside chance of avoiding the drop after a great battle with a never say die Morley side. After a nervy start from both sides Boothtown began to take control before registering the first try, prop Trent Ashton who scattered several would be tacklers to score by the side of the posts, Paul Rawson adding the conversion for a 6 -0 lead. Boothtown seemed to relax a little too much and Morley scored a good try to make it 6-4.

This woke Boothtown up and after good initial work from skipper Ben Mallas and the returning Paddy Dolan, Simon Jevons went in to the right of the posts, Rawson converting to make it 12-4. Boothtown then continued to dominate the rest of the first half especially defensively and with Dean Robertshaw directing the forwards around the field from hooker it was just the final pass which stopped the Terriers increasing their lead.

Boothtown started the second half very strongly and seemed to break through almost at will at times but again the final pass seemed to go astray until after a fine 60 metre break from speedster Paul Kemp, Luke Brown sent top try-scorer Jason Dodd in under the posts with Paul Rawson converting. Morley were on the back foot now and it was no surprise when after some good initial play Wayne Oakes sent Wayne Steel through a gap with a lovely short ball for him to finish 5 yards in from touch for an unconverted try to give Boothtown breathing space at 22-4.

Morley to their credit never gave up and reduced the arrears with a consolation try to make it 22-8. Boothtown then pressed for another try in the last 10 minutes but couldn't get over the line. Wayne Oakes had a super game and skipper Ben Mallas went well too. Simon Farrar marshalled the defence superbly from fullback and Paul Rawson made a massive 43 tackles.