Finally, after two cancelations the Spring season got underway on Sunday 8 April with a 44 – 0 win over Highlanders (West Milford).

Prior to the game the High School Boys unveiled the new playing jerseys. Thanks to the funding raising efforts of the team, many supporters and especially the sponsors who made this possible.

In cool and breezy conditions at Veterans Memorial Field it was hard to describe this as Spring Rugby. But there was no sign of snow that had forced the cancelation of two earlier fixtures and several practice sessions. Despite the disrupted preparation the Morris Lions showed no signs of being rusty and got off to a flying start. Receiving the kick off, they worked down field and from the base of a scrum in the second minute scored a try. Demonstrating some great forwards and backs moves over several phases the Lions were rewarded again with second score this time from the backs. The impressive start continued as very soon after good work from the players resulted in two more tries from the forwards, one converted. Fifteen minutes in to the game Highlanders had yet to touch the ball other than to kick off and the score was 22 – 0.
The remainder of the half was a little disjointed due to a number of lengthy stoppages but the Morris Lions remained focused, continued to execute the game plan and were able to add two more tries to the tally with yet another break on the wing and a barnstorming forward run down the middle. At half time Morris Lions HS Boys led 32 – 0.

The second half started much the same as first when two minutes in a forward broke the line, his long run was well supported by another forward who took the ball in for a try. At this point seven interchanges were made with no sign of any misunderstanding or interruption in the standard of play. Highlanders did see a little more of the ball and put some pressure on the Lions. A solid defensive effort from the players was able to hold them out. The strength in depth of this Boys team was evident as two of the interchanges completed the scoring, one running a great line to split the centers for a try and a second adding the conversion. The final whistle in the shortened second half resulted in the first win of the season with eight tries and two conversions, 44 – 0.

The entire Morris Lions HS Boys team looked good, not just in their new kit but also as they played some very good rugby and performed to a high standard working hard for each other and representing the Lions crest on the jersey.

Who do you play for?

Posted in Corporation, U18 Boys