Billingham 39--13 Morpeth

Morpeth travelled to Billingham who were surprising losers to basement
club Ilkley in last weeks round of league matches.Nevertheless the
Teesiders are having an excellent season and are riding high in the
league as they strive for promotion.
Morpeth kept faith with the side who played with great determination
in last week's match against Sandal with the only change being the
debut of 18 year old Fraser Balmain in the front row.

This run of 2 games is the hardest the Mitford Road side has faced all

 season as they face up to the battle they face as they move towards

the end of the season. 
Morpeth made a great start putting pressure on the opposition with a
Jinks penalty giving an early 3 point lead.
Matters were looking even more promising when Billingham had a man
sinbinned.However,that was the end of Morpeth's succes when the
opposition scored 2 tries from turnover ball and then a further
score made the halftime score 22-3 to Billingham.
Despite a positive start to the second half Morpeth conceded a further
score to make it 27-3.Refusing to lie down Morpeth pressed hard with
Jonny Stephenson going over in the corner.  27-8 scoreline.
Morpeth again were unable to keep possession which allowed Billingham
to move further ahead with 2 more scores,before skipper and full-back
Wilkinson went over with the final play of the game.
This was a disappointing display after  last week's wholehearted
effort but nevertheless the performance of the teenage Balmain showed
immense promise.