Youthful Morpeth side share the points against Gainsborough ahead of a tough end-of-season run-in

It was Guisborough who made the final converted score on 75 minutes. Now, with three games remaining in the league campaign it leaves the Mitford Road outfit on 51 points and in seventh place. With the remaining fixtures against sides that sit above them; Northern, Percy Park and Sunderland, it is a very difficult run-in for the youthful Morpeth side.

Was a draw a fair result ? Well Guisborough were camped on the Morpeth line with sustained attacks as the game drew to a close, that said, the home side will be ruing missed opportunities during the third quarter to effectively put the match to bed, so maybe a draw was a fair result.

There is no doubt that the current Morpeth team is missing the ball carrying impact as the season draws to a close due to a combination of injuries and unavailability. That isn’t an excuse but reflects the reality of the situation.

It was the visitors who drew first blood on seven minutes with a converted penalty. It came about when initially Morpeth had possession but lost in contact to allow Guisborough to move downfield and cause the home side to infringe.

That score appeared to spur on the home side, with both Dan Goose and Ryan Shaw making hard yards. On 22 minutes winger Harry Hoggan continued his good form with an unconverted try when he caught a cross-field kick from fly half Harvey Gillie, before touching down – 5-3.

The lead only lasted six minutes before the visitors returned on top with an unconverted try of their own to make the score 5-8 after 28 minutes.

There were no further scores when the match official blew for half time.

With former skipper Carl Hill again leading the way, Morpeth gained the upper hand with another try on 48 minutes. It again was initiated from a cross-field kick, before Hill and Hoggan linked up. The happy hooker eventually crashed over to make the score 10-8.

Around the 55 minute mark Morpeth made some replacements with evergreen stalwart David Dickinson, club skipper Jack Elliott and flanker George Liddle entering the fray. A few minutes after, Morpeth stretched their lead when some good handling saw Hoggan grab his brace of tries. 15-8.

But Guisborough were not to be denied and on 75 minutes a poor relieving kick, that went out on the full, gave the home side a promising lineout opportunity. The ball was won for an effective burst through centre field that brought a converted try which was fully deserved.

The last minutes of the game saw Guisborough well on top with the match ending and a relieved Morpeth side clearing for touch after a Guisborough infringement.

Final score 15-15.

Scoops Man of the Match – Carl Hill.