Defence stands firm as Stead steals show

HUDDERSFIELD YMCA’s dogged defence made the difference as they secured a 37-10 North One East win over Morpeth.

Gavin Stead once again stole the individual honours in an excellent team performance with 22 points, including a try, four conversions and three penalties.

The five point-haul for YM leaves them fifth in the table, just a point behind Morpeth. But it was Morpeth who showed their intent from the off, putting their pacy backs to good use on the wide-open spaces of Laund Hill and it was only good YM defence that kept them at bay.

With their scrum in the ascendency, Morpeth continued to dominate field position for the opening 20 minutes but were unable to break the YM defence.

Then, from inside their own 22, the YM broke out of defence as clever play released left wing Kyle Tetley on a barnstorming run down the touch line to take play into the Morpeth 22.

YM retained possession to take play to the visitors’ line and after four penalties, the referee lost patience and Morpeth wing forward Robinson was shown the yellow card.

As the half hour mark approached, YM took the lead with a Jack Housley try which Stead converted.

From a lineout near the visitors’ line, the ball was rolled in-field and second row Housley forced his way over.

YM were unlucky not to increase their lead as lively full-back Fletcher was held up over the line after good work from Chappell. But as half-time approached they did double their score with a Stead try, which he converted from the touchline. The