Percy Park Lions 24-59 Morpeth Reivers
Morpeth Reivers travelled to Percy Park for a double header, the County Bowl Shield Final and Candy League. It was the season’s climax, and Morpeth didn’t disappoint with an epic display that brought more silver ware back to Mitford Road. All players, coaching staff, young and old contributed to this significant success.
There was a strong wind blowing almost directly down the pitch and Park had first use of the elements. That said, it was Morpeth who took an early lead with two tries in quick succession, both coming from strong running full back Nathan Arkle. Winger Kieran Smith converted one and was instrumental in the second touchdown. 0-12. After just 7 exciting minutes played.
Park, with a dominant scrum, then began to assert some authority in the game and it was only some dogged Morpeth defence that prevented the home side scoring.
Finally, after first dropping the ball over the Morpeth line, on 37 minutes Park got the score they deserved with a converted try. Forward pressure and recycled ball saw them go over from close range. 7-12.
But back came Morpeth with a crucial score considering the elements. It came with the final play of the half. A super break out from their own half saw the ball eventually finding Arkle touching down wide out, before Smith converted with a superb conversion. 7-19 was the halftime score.
The second half saw Morpeth have the elements in their favour, yet it was Park who drew first blood with another dominant scrum, followed by an attacking line out and recycled ball brought another unconverted try 12-19.
But Morpeth were not to be denied, and Ryan Watson finished off a move when centre Jack Wood, who made a significant contribution, particularly in the second half, had run strongly. Smith was on the mark with a conversion. 12-26.
Just as you thought there was no way back for Park, to their credit, with more forward dominance they reduced the deficit with the next score, an unconverted try. This made the score 17-26, as the game moved into the final quarter.
It was then that Morpeth took full control of the match with Ben Jackson and then Jack Wood running riot against a tiring home defence. Although Park scored a creditable further try Morpeth dominated, with evergreen Adam Savage, dummying, then swivelling his way over, interspersed with another strong Wood effort and then a Lewthwaite try, Morpeth ran out comfortable winners. Tom Dungait and Bertice Hinson converted the last 2 tries.
Final score 24-59.
Scoops Man of The Match - not awarded on this occasion. It is dedicated to a team effort, both on and off the field, in the fullest sense of the word!
Morpeth Reivers travelled to Percy Park for a double header, the County Bowl Shield Final and Candy League. It was the season’s climax, and Morpeth didn’t disappoint with an epic display that brought more silver ware back to Mitford Road. All players, coaching staff, young and old contributed to this significant success.
There was a strong wind blowing almost directly down the pitch and Park had first use of the elements. That said, it was Morpeth who took an early lead with two tries in quick succession, both coming from strong running full back Nathan Arkle. Winger Kieran Smith converted one and was instrumental in the second touchdown. 0-12. After just 7 exciting minutes played.
Park, with a dominant scrum, then began to assert some authority in the game and it was only some dogged Morpeth defence that prevented the home side scoring.
Finally, after first dropping the ball over the Morpeth line, on 37 minutes Park got the score they deserved with a converted try. Forward pressure and recycled ball saw them go over from close range. 7-12.
But back came Morpeth with a crucial score considering the elements. It came with the final play of the half. A super break out from their own half saw the ball eventually finding Arkle touching down wide out, before Smith converted with a superb conversion. 7-19 was the halftime score.
The second half saw Morpeth have the elements in their favour, yet it was Park who drew first blood with another dominant scrum, followed by an attacking line out and recycled ball brought another unconverted try 12-19.
But Morpeth were not to be denied, and Ryan Watson finished off a move when centre Jack Wood, who made a significant contribution, particularly in the second half, had run strongly. Smith was on the mark with a conversion. 12-26.
Just as you thought there was no way back for Park, to their credit, with more forward dominance they reduced the deficit with the next score, an unconverted try. This made the score 17-26, as the game moved into the final quarter.
It was then that Morpeth took full control of the match with Ben Jackson and then Jack Wood running riot against a tiring home defence. Although Park scored a creditable further try Morpeth dominated, with evergreen Adam Savage, dummying, then swivelling his way over, interspersed with another strong Wood effort and then a Lewthwaite try, Morpeth ran out comfortable winners. Tom Dungait and Bertice Hinson converted the last 2 tries.
Final score 24-59.
Scoops Man of The Match - not awarded on this occasion. It is dedicated to a team effort, both on and off the field, in the fullest sense of the word!
