Morpeth Colts Get That Sinking Feeling as Consett Power Through

Morpeth Colt’s 7 Consett Colts 17

Spectators watching this game may have left with the opinion that Morpeth lost this match, not because they were outplayed by Consett, but because of rash errors of judgement and decision making.

Morpeth started the game knowing that they would be up against a strong physical side, however the pack were quickly put under pressure by the heavier Consett forwards, with prop Lewis Savage struggling, in particular, to cope with the demands of propping against a much bigger opponent.

Morpeth seemed un-motivated for the contest, which was shown by Consett’s ball possession and turnover ratio, which was higher than any team would like against them. Despite the team’s collective heads not being in the game, Morpeth managed to keep the score at a stalemate, while showing that, when motivated, their backs can make ground and break lines.

Consett managed to break the deadlock after a moment of madness by centre Alex Younger, who, instead of catching the ball, decided it would be prudent to attempt a football style volley. The ball immediately went in the opposite direction of the Morpeth attack, and was swallowed up by a greedy Consett back line looking to exploit a moment of madness.

The Morpeth players did well to get back and start a frantic defence of the line, however it was only a matter of time before the opposition's superior skill and aggression at the break down was rewarded with a try, as yet another forward drive bullied its way over the line, and in doing so gave Consett as 5-0 lead over Morpeth.

The rest of the half continued with Consett dominating Morpeth in the forward battle, however when Morpeth managed to give their backs the ball, they looked dangerous in parts. However an over-willingness to go it alone undoubtedly hurt the chances of a successful attack.

But it was not long until Morpeth found themselves back on their own goal line, but with the ball in their hands. That is, until kicker Greg Young suffered from a bout of Danny Cipriani syndrome and had his kick charged down and pounced upon for a second try, which was then converted to bring the score to 12-0, with half time fast approaching Morpeth badly needed to find some determination and drive.

The half time substitutions seemed to add some momentum into the Morpeth forwards, as they started playing like a pack and went forward. As a combination of strong ball carrying and aggressive rucking saw Morpeth advance into the Consett 22, where once again, the attack seemed to be faltering.

Morpeth were awarded a free kick, which was taken and carried up onto the Consett goal line, a successful recycling effort by the forwards at the breakdown saw the ball shipped out and crashed up once again. However this time Morpeth's efforts were rewarded by the shrill blast of the referees whistle to indicate the try scored. A successful conversion by fly half and Captain James McNeil took the score to 13-7, and Morpeth trailing by one converted try.

Try as they might, Morpeth could not forge another successful attack, and quickly found themselves back defending their own try line, as the bulk and aggression of the Consett forwards started to make an increasingly big impact.

Maul after maul successfully drove Consett further into Morpeth territory. Consett soon exploited a lack of numbers out wide, and struggled over the line to make the score 17-7. The missed conversion meant that the score stayed at this until the end of the match.