Rampant Morley rapidly closing in on title success

They produced a rampant first-half display, going 33-7 ahead at the interval after running in five tries.

Morley took the lead after seven minutes with a try by second-row Danny Chamberlain, converted by left winger Simon Bradshaw, and even though Rossendale equalised, from then on it was all Morley.

Captain and No 8 Craig Field scored in the 19th minute and further tries by Bradshaw, Mark Chester and prop Paul Gabriel, plus three conversions by Bradshaw put Morley in the ascendancy.

The visitors were guilty of taking their foot off the gas after the interval and two quick tries made it 33-19.

Morley steadied themselves and hit back through Karl Bradshaw on 69 minutes, although brother Simon was unsuccessful with the kick.

Rossendale grabbed their last score, a converted try, with 10 minutes remaining but Bradshaw struck a penalty with the last kick.

Birkenhead Park 13

Cleckheaton 20

With first use of the slope and the stiff breeze Birkenhead Park pinned Cleckheaton into their own 22 metre area for the first 15 minutes.

The Cleckheaton defence was resolute and they even turned Park's main attacking ploy, the rolling maul, on several occasions.

Eventually, a defender did stray off-side and Dave Hall kicked the penalty.