The scoreline does not reflect game which Carlisle dominated for large periods of time and had the majority of possession, but Morpeth were clinical in taking the opportunities presented to them and that in the end was the deciding factor.

On a bright day and a firm pitch the Morpeth club was a busy place with sponsors and a former players reunion.

Carlisle kicked off and recovered possession and set about applying early pressure. Possession was retained and with forwards carrying well particularly Josh Holmes and Lloyd Clark to the fore, the put Morpeth under pressure. A penalty was won after five minutes but the attempted conversion was wide. A second was won on nine minutes and this time Jason Israel converted to give the visitors a 0-3 advantage.

From the restart Carlisle continued to dominate, this time driving deep into Morpeth 22. The hosts were forced to defend frantically and resolutely. Just as Carlisle looked as if the pressure would count a ball on the ground ripped in a tackle was hacked upfield and only a desperate scramble cleared the imminent danger for Carlisle. However from the resulting lineout Morpeth created their own pressure in the visitors 22 and managed to squeeze over near the posts for a converted try and 7-3 lead on fifteen minutes.

Back came Carlisle, again retaining possession for a significant period of pressure in the home 22. Phases of play reached double figures on a couple of occasions, but the breakthrough just could not be found with Morpeth again showing excellent defensive qualities. As the visitors press continued, the ball popped out loose at a ruck and the Morpeth scrum half was quickest to react and clear with 70 metres to go. He might have been caught, but his supporting winger was on hand to take the pass and raced away for a second try, also converted, and a 14-3 lead after 20 minutes.

Despite this setback Carlisle continued to dominate and spent most of the next fifteen minutes in the home half. Time and again they pressed the Morpeth defence and time and again they were repelled. A long range penalty attempt went wide, the Morpeth defence continued to be resolute. Then on 35 minutes a hammer blow. Pressing down the left channel Carlisle had created the overlap chance, but the Morpeth winger took a chance and intercepted a likely try scoring pass to race almost the length of the pitch and third Morpeth try, converted again for a 21-3 lead, held until half time.

The second half started much as the first, except this time Carlisle got their reward. Heavy pressure from the visitors continued and although Morpeth continued to defend stoutly eventually Euan Forlow squeezed over from close range. The conversion from Israel meant a scoreline of 21-10.

Morpeth responded and had a period of pressure in the Carlisle half eventually earning a penalty which they chose to convert to take them beyond a two score advantage. The next score would be crucial and both sides had opportunities to exert pressure but defences held firm. As the game entered the final quarter it was Morpeth who broke clear from a driving maul to get the crucial score, converted to stretch their advantage.

Carlisle never gave up.
A penalty pushed them deep into the home 22 and a well executed catch and drive saw them go over for a second try from Matthew Tomkins. But the die was cast and Morpeth saw out the last 10 minutes of the game and indeed added 2 further penalties.

So another defeat for Carlisle and the spectre of being caught by the chasing pack comes into view. The performance may not have yielded any points but suggested they have the inner fight required for the scrap. They go to Consett next week and will be looking for the result to match the performance.

Report by Phil Healy