Scarborough RUFC blown away by forward power in 34-13 defeat at Morpeth

Aaron Wilson scored a late try in the 13-34 reverse at Morpeth

PHOTOGRAPH ANDY STANDING

RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION (RFU) NORTHERN DIVISION – NORTH EAST ONE

MORPETH 34 SCARBOROUGH 13

By Dave Campbell

Morpeth powered to the top of North One East with a win against a spirited Scarborough side who were top of the pile before the game. Scarborough stuck to their task but were out-powered by a Morpeth pack who were totally dominant at the set piece.

An exchange of penalties between Morpeth fly-half Ben Hornby and his Scarborough opposite number Tom Ratcliffe were the only early scores.

Although outgunned up front Scarborough looked enterprising throughout and capable of scoring from anywhere with penetrative runs from broken play by fullback Jimmy Perrett, Ratcliffe and centres Aaron Wilson and Matty Young.

However It was pressure from close range scrums which quickly became the home side’s most potent attacking weapon and scrum half Irving dummied the visiting defence and powered over in the 25^th minute for a try converted by Hornby for a 10-3 Morpeth lead.

Although living off scraps the visiting back division always looked dangerous but determined home defence maintained their 10-3 advantage at the break.

A drop-goal stretched the home lead to 13-3 in the 50^th minute before a catch and drive saw the Northumbrians cross in the 55^th minute for a converted try to lead 20-3.

A further converted try on the hour saw Morpeth stretch the lead to 27-3. But Scarborough never gave up the ghost and some excellent recycled ball saw a cross kick by Ratcliffe touched down by winger Manning Smith to reduce the arrears at 27-8.

The dominant home pack affected a late push-over try before centre Aaron Wilson crossed to give the score line a respectable look at 34-13.

Scarborough have consistently struggled in the tight five at set pieces over the last two seasons and in this game came up against perhaps the most balanced and cohesive front five in the league. If they could improve this aspect of their game, their back division, already the most potent in the league, could prove even more devastating as they look for back to back promotions.