Four first-half tries gave the home side a lead which City never looked likely to challenge, two coming from poor defensive kicks from which Morpeth took full advantage to counter-attack and score through full-back Lynas Francis and winger Ritchie Stephenson, one by flanker Matty Dawson when City failed to deal with a high kick and the fourth when No.8 Rory Morrison picked up a loose ball to charge over.

Centre James Phillips converted two of them and added a penalty, and despite a 10 minute period of severe City pressure on the home line before the interval, Morpeth’s defence stayed solid and they carried a 27 – 0 lead into the second half.

Quarter of an hour after the re-start, they extended it, flanker Mikey Craigs stepping inside the City cover to score as they attacked down the right, Phillips converting, and 10 minutes later Stephenson took a long pass to dive over in the corner for his second try, extending the lead to 39 – 0.

Again City responded with 5 minutes of solid pressure on the home line but to no avail, and it perhaps summed up their day when Morpeth broke out of defence and swept upfield for lock James Armstrong to go over for their seventh try. Phillips converted to seal a comprehensive home victory.

CITY: Rob Smith; Max Bailey, Richard Ellis, Paddy Dias, David Gibson; Arnie Stevenson, Paul Armstrong; Kenny Reader, Mike Hay, Neil Hart, Tom Baty, Paul Rodham, Grant Thompson, Liam Wilson, Peter Dent (c).

Replacements: Colin Hogg, Thomas Howard, Greg Holder.