FOR a long time, it looked like a huge giant-killing was on the cards.
But despite a brave display, York RUFC finally succumbed to their more illustrious opponents - going down 45-26 to Morley in the Powergen Intermediate Cup fourth round.
Morley returned to West Yorkshire bruised, and a little battered, after they were harassed in the loose and dominated in the scrum as York swept aside two divisions' difference to score more points and tries than any other side had previously managed against the North 1 league leaders.
That still wasn't quite enough to give York the victory as Morley found an extra gear on each occasion the Clifton Parkers put points on the scoreboard.
Determined to embarrass, it was York who scored the game's first try on ten minutes when a Morley mistake gifted possesion close to the try-line, and scrum half Graeme Smith dived over from the ensuing ruck.
Morley had parity four minutes later, taking a quick tap from a penalty and prop Leon Treco handed the ball to fly-half Pete Murray who scored in the corner.
When Ben Wade capitalised on a York mistake and ran in on 30 minutes, it looked like Morley were beginning to take control.
York's enthusiasm could not be dampened, and the home side responded with a special try to regain the lead. Kiwi Cory Wallace started the move with a determined drive, and quick hands saw the ball passed left through Nick Ventress, Sam Arkle and Mike Westwood, and finally to winger Rob Kama who ran in from 20 metres to put York 12-10 ahead.
But cracks were appearing. York's lineout was calamitous and Morley were able to jump completely unopposed on their own throw. Morley were struggling in the tight, but when the ball came wide their superior handling and quick passing was creating opportunities.
They hit back in first-half stoppage time, as a superb interchange of passing between full back Scott Evans and lock Craig Rika confused York's defence and gave Evans an easy run in - and Morley a 17-12 lead at the break.
Five minutes into the second half, the ever-threatening Rika broke through five York tacklers to score a rampaging try and when flanker Craig Field touched down ten minutes later, it looked like the home team's resistance had finally crumbled.
York, however, were not in the mood to buckle and responded three minutes later when Kama was the beneficiary of some superb work from Wallace and scored his second try.
Field was to score again before, as the clock wound down, York's Arkle and Morley replacement Simon Bradshaw traded tries before full time.
With unbeaten Yorkshire One leaders Sheffield Tigers to come next weekend, it will take another huge effort from the front five to put the Clifton Parkers' league campaign back on track.
On the evidence of this performance, they will have every chance.
Updated: 10:10 Monday, November 28, 2005
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