Birkenhead Park 38 Morley 0: Morley can't stop power of Birkenhead
Morley had always expected this to be a tough encounter but with their pack second best throughout, it turned into a nightmare afternoon as the home side ran in five first-half tries to establish a 31-0 lead at the break.
Even the absence of two regular backs did not explain the way Morley crumbled and they will have to regroup for the run-in if they are not to let what had looked like a comfortable top-two place slip away.
Penrith, who have won three games fewer, are only three points behind Morley, who have the lowest bonus points total in the top nine.