Morpeth RFC continue fine start with Guisborough win

Half a dozen games in to the Regional Two North campaign, and it’s a case of so far, so good for a predominantly young Morpeth side. Currently unbeaten, lying second in the table, the Northumberland outfit have amassed a total of 25 points - just five behind near rivals and league leaders, Percy Park.

On Saturday, Morpeth travelled to North Yorkshire to take on Guisborough, picking up a 24-45 victory, and beginning the contest with a bang. Within 13 minutes, the visitors found themselves two scores to the good. On five minutes, flanker Cade Whitfield went over, before Harvey Gillie got himself on the scoresheet. Gillie was on the mark to make both conversions.

Things got even better for Morpeth when, in the 21st minute, winger Finn Tilmouth - who continues to improve with every appearance - touched down with an unconverted effort to make the score 0-19.

But just as it looked as if Morpeth might run away with the match, back came Guisborough with a try from an attacking lineout shortly before the half-hour mark. A subsequent conversion looked to have dragged the home side well and truly back into the game.

The first half scoring kept on coming as Callum Burgess got in on the action with a try on 29 minutes, and the match would then be effectively settled in the final 10 minutes of a high-scoring opening period.

On 32 minutes, Guisborough scored their second before Burgess again touched down - this time with an interception - that allowed Gillie to convert and extend the lead out to 12-31.

Then, with a minute to go before the interval, Gillie himself went over after an excellent spell of Morpeth handling featuring Burgess, winger Nathan Arkle, and the eventual try scorer, who also made the conversion.

To their immense credit, the home side mounted an excellent fight-back after the break, and were rewarded with two tries in the 60th and 65th minutes, reducing the deficit and making the score 24-38.

But it was Morpeth who had the final say in the game when the evergreen Benny Hornby went over for a score which Gillie yet again converted, wrapping up a 21-point triumph.