MORPETH 56 DURHAM CITY 0
With an injury crisis reaching almost epidemic proportions, City were forced to make no less than 10 changes to the previous week’s side for this North 1 East League game and duly paid the price as Morpeth, fresh from training with the England team in m
They went ahead after 20 minutes, prop Karl Campbell diving over for their first following a 5 metre scrum. Nine minutes later, lock Ben Bell ran in from 20 metres to capitalise on a break by stand-off Matthew Jinks and they followed it up in the 35th minute with their third try from 40 metres out when centre Paul Mooney finished off a fine attack by their backs. With Jinks converting the first try and adding 2 penalties late in the half to establish a 23 – 0 interval lead, there was no way back for City.
From the re-start, Morpeth piled on the pressure and City’s defensive frailties were more and more exposed as the half progressed. Mooney added his second try after 47 minutes, No.8 Craig Millar forced his way over following a 5 metre scrum and centre Cas Gross finished off a good attack from a ruck 10 metres out. Jinks converted all three for a 44 – 0 lead half-way through the second- half.
But they weren’t finished. Replacement forward James Armstrong went over for their seventh try from a drive near the City line and, from the final play of the game, Jinks broke to score and convert to seal a fully-deserved, comprehensive victory for the home side.
Tomorrow, City meet Northern at Hollow Drift in another league match (K.O. 3.00pm)
CITY: Peter Van Loo; Conor Lavery, Adam Morton, Paddy Dias, Richard North; Arnie Stevenson, Thomas Howard; Neil Hart, Mike Hay, Mark Archbold, Mitchell Forbes, Dave Farrar, Tom Baty, Jeff Roberts (c), Darren McKinnon.
Replacements: Colin Hogg, Aaron Burns, Mark McCreedy
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