Bees skipper Barry Clark summed up what all his club's followers must have been thinking after this latest North Division One victory.

The tall second-rower said: "January was always going to be tough for us and we look at it as four down, one to go."

With three league victories and a Powergen Intermediate Cup success under their belts, the Bees finish off January with what could be the hardest test of all - a league clash at home to fellow front-runners Cleckheaton next Saturday.

The bitterly cold conditions were never likely to suit the Bees' free-flowing style, and a committed Morley pack always meant the contest was going to be tight.

Excellent tactical kicking from former Welsh international Colin Stephens kept the Bees pinned in their own half for long periods. However, great work in the line-out by Clark and Rob Woodhead nullified this advantage.

Men of the match were both back-row forwards - Vanleeuwen for Morley, who made all the hard yards, and Jonny Tua'moholea, who stole the ball out of the tackle several times to thwart the hosts.

Centre Stuart Dixon landed two early penalties for the Bees downwind, but Craig Field replied with a try in the 25th minute, Stephens converting.

The Bees fumbled possession several times in the Morley 22, but their nerves were settled somewhat by Woodhead's try after 31 minutes, the lock side-stepping his way over from close range.

Dixon's conversion made the half-time score 13-7, and the Bees continually tried to run ball from deep in the second half. A Stephens penalty from the halfway line made it 13-10 in the 62nd minute, and the visitors had to dig deep to prevent a try as Morley pressed.

The clinching try came in the 70th minute from hooker Leon Treco, though the Bees should have scored from any number of scrums and mauls close to the Morley line.

Bees coach Andy Bemrose, a former Morley player, said: "Although there were too many handling errors, the boys showed tremendous character."

NICK PATTERSON