One of the heroes of a famous game in Whitehaven’s history has died – tough, speedy winger Rodney Morris.
Known as Podder in his native Millom, he had signed for Whitehaven in the 1969/70 season, the campaign in which the Cumbrians had drawn 20-20 at Wigan in a top 16 play-off game, and won the replay at the Recreation Ground 9-4.
He went on to play 195 games for Haven, scoring 52 tries and made eight appearances for Cumberland between 1970 and 1973.
Signed from the Millom amateur club he soon became a firm favourite, with those two games with Wigan highlighting his value to Whitehaven.
Former Whitehaven chairman Tom Todd said: “I was a 16-year-old standing at the corner for the replay and watching it all unfold. It is still my favourite ever Whitehaven game.
“Wigan had just signed a flying winger from Cardiff rugby union, a Welsh international called Keri Jones. I remember he could shift a bit and looked to be a certain scorer when Rodney got across an knocked him into touch.
“Jones tried again and the same thing happened and he nearly put him over the fence. Remarkably when he attempted a third run on the outside Rodney again put him into touch. He never tried a fourth time.”
To cap it all Morris scored the only try of the game at the Railway End which sealed a splendid 9-4 victory.
In September 1972 Morris was a member of the Whitehaven team which won 8-6 at Wigton – the only time in their history that the Cumbrians have beaten them away from home.
His final game in the chocolate, blue and gold colours were at the end of the 1975/76 season in a 28-13 home win over Doncaster. He ended his career with a brief spell at Barrow.
