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After a delayed kick off and hurried warm up thanks to traffic problems West, surprisingly, started with a bang. Tom Dixon collected Davy Tighe's kick off to storm up to the home 22. An early penalty chance was turned down for a kick to the corner and when the ball was lost in midfield it seemed like the wrong choice. However, Andrew Dixon charged down Morpeth's clearance kick and Young was on hand to collect the loose ball and go in for the opening try. Tom Dixon skewed a simple kick wide but it was a great start for the visitors, particularly considering their late arrival and poor recent record at Mitford Road.
Another slightly fortuitous try arrived on 17 minutes. Neil Howe was pressured into a clearance kick in his own 22 and sliced the ball high and infield. Somehow nobody collected the ball and it bounced up for Young to once again collect. The speedy scrum half galloped over half way before off-loading to Jonny Boatman who finished off the try and left Tom Dixon a kick he couldn't miss.
Morpeth were exerting a lot of pressure on the West scrum and when the ball wasn't lost it was a free-kick for feeding or foot-up. This allowed the hosts a platform to come back in to the game, and that they certainly did. Captain Alan Rodgers, playing at full-back, surged down the left wing for their first try, touching down in the corner under some pressure but the referee waved away speculation he failed to ground the ball and awarded the score. The second try was a direct product of the dominant scrum, a simple pickup from the base of a 5 metre shove. With both conversions missed it was left to a penalty just before the break to give Morpeth the lead, 13-12.
After starting so brightly, their difficulties in the scrum had cost West dearly and they had to right them in the second half if they were to stand any chance of regaining the lead. Jon Norris left the field at half time, seemingly having problems with an ankle, to be replaced by Carl Robinson.
It seemed something said at half-time, or the introduction of “Carlo”, spurred the pack on. The first scrum saw Morpeth driven backwards and the ball turned over in a total turn around from the opening 40 minutes. Now playing with a strong, icy, wind at their backs it looked like West's game to win, but it was Morpeth who opening the second half scoring.
Rodgers, a constant danger, got his second try breaking the West defensive line with a superb jinking run but the score was overshadowed by the confusion over the conversion. The kick seemed to drop well short but the Morpeth touch-judge raised his flag and the referee awarded the 2 points. Despite a lengthy discussion with Davy Tighe and West's linesman the kick stood and the game continued, a two score lead now opened up.
West's now resurgent pack evened up the questionable grounding stakes when they rolled a maul up to the line on 52 minutes only for Andrew Dixon to seemingly lose the ball as he went to ground. The referee saw different though and awarded the try, Tom Dixon closing the gap to a single point with the conversion, this time undisputed!
West were starting to play with more freedom and the pace of Young was proving difficult for Morpeth to handle. The fourth try, on 57 minutes, belonged to his Falcon's colleague Aaron Myers although it was scored by Dan Boatman. Myers, who put in a typically dogged performance, made a searing break and delivered the pass to his back-row colleague who stretched well to the line through a double-tackle. Dixon's conversion hit the post but West had their noses back in front at 24-20.
The visitors were looking increasingly threatening but it took until the 74th minute to stretch the lead. Young was again the man, adding his second try of the afternoon. He had almost scored moments before with another lightning burst from half-way only to be stopped short but darted through the smallest of gaps from the base of a ruck 5 metres out and seemingly seal the game for his side.
Morpeth had other ideas though. Rodgers scored his hat-trick as 80 minutes came up with another super run from half-way. The conversion sailed wide, leaving the touch-judges in no doubt, and a four-point deficit remained. The referee declared there were still a few minutes to play and the hosts set about stealing the win. They advanced up the field thanks to some silly infringements and charging runs from David Dickenson and Rodgers. It seemed like they were destined to score and when Rodgers popped up just a few metres out it seemed a certain try. Somehow he was kept out by two West defenders but there was a simple run-in waiting for the winger as the ball was recycled. Unfortunately for the home support though, the ball was knocked on at the base of the ruck and the full-time whistle blew! A frantic end to a excellent afternoon of rugby with 9 tries, plenty of incident and running rugby on show.
The win cements West in third place and the chance to prove their worth at the top of the table against Sheffield Tigers in a couple of weeks time. As for Morpeth they might have had a mixed season in terms of results but they can play some good rugby and will be tough opposition next year.
West: Hare, Todd, Edwards, Howe, Dougherty, Tighe, Young, Cullinane, A Dixon, Norris (Robinson), Miller (Rudd), T Dixon, D Boatman, Myers, J Boatman
Tries: Young 2, J Boatman, A Dixon, D Boatman
Cons: T Dixon 2
Related Links:
Team For Morpeth
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Author: Stan the Camel
Date: 01-04-07 11:02
Sounds a fantastic game and, once again, an excellent report, El Pedro. You have given a fair and neutral opinion of all the debatable issues. Take note, R&O!
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Author: Whippet Racer
Date: 02-04-07 13:41
Well done West good season, maybe you could have gained a promotion spot, but just like us (HORDEN) you made a couple of ( albeit not so costly) cockups, thing is though you didnt have to drastically buy in players to avoid the drop did you? But if we do go down we still done the treble over Rovers...SATISFACTION!
%-)
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Author: smurray
Date: 02-04-07 13:44
I hear that hordle are getting t shirts printed similar to those we had 2 years ago . played 3 won 3.
smurray
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Author: Whippet Racer
Date: 02-04-07 13:48
Nah its just a rumour with no truth in it at all.
Pardon my ignorance but what reason was it for You lot having t-shirts printed two years ago?
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NEXT FIXTURE
Hull Ionians
VENUE
Friendly - Home kick off 3.00
DATE
Saturday August 23 rd
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