Wharfedale v Halifax: Morgan looking for last day glory
Published Date:
25 April 2008
By John Metcalfe
RHYS Morgan will send his Halifax side out for their final National Two clash at Wharfedale tomorrow (3.0) hoping that they can finish a miserable campaign on a high.
It could have been an altogether different story had Halifax managed to beat their Yorkshire rivals on the opening day after holding a 27-6 lead at the break.
But they allowed Wharfedale back into the game and suffered a heartbreaking 30-27 defeat in one of the turnarounds of the season.
Since then Halifax have only managed two league victories but Morgan believes last Saturday's 20-7 success over Waterloo has given his squad fresh belief.
"We thoroughly deserved last week's win and it has given the players a massive boost to their confidence," said Morgan.
"It has been a long, hard season and there could be no better way to finish it than to go and beat Wharfedale on their own pitch.
"Games between the two sides are always entertaining and I can't see tomorrow's being any different.
"Wharfedale are a settled side and every team finds it tough to play there.
"We have got to match them for passion and commitment - but I will also tell the players to go out and enjoy themselves.
"If they do that then I cannot see any reason why we cannot pull off a win."
Morgan has the rare luxury of being able to name an unchanged squad, although there is a doubt over the fitness of hooker Will Kay.
He has been suffering with a virus that forced him to leave the action early against Blackheath two weeks ago and again straight after scoring a try in last Saturday's triumph over Waterloo.
"Will is the only concern and I will have to decide whether he or Rob Townsend starts tomorrow," added Morgan.
"My feeling is that I will keep Will in because if he is struggling I have the option of bringing him off."
The unchanged side also means there is still a place on the bench for veteran prop Richard Szabo.
Wharfedale struggled early on in the season, but six victories in their last seven outings have propelled them towards a mid-table position.
They will also have one eye on next Wednesday when they face Doncaster in the Yorkshire Cup final at Harrogate RUFC.
Neil Baggett, who scored the winning try deep into injury time at Ovenden Park in the first match of the season, returns to the side on the wing while Gavin Hindle is in line to make his 100th start for the club.
The full article contains 437 words and appears in Evening Courier newspaper.
-
Last Updated:
25 April 2008 9:21 AM
-
Source:
Evening Courier
-
Location:
Halifax