The gusty wind was blowing straight down the Mitford Road pitch and Morpeth had it at their backs from the off. However, resolute defence kept them to a 12-0 lead at the break, which looked to be by no means good enough.

Morpeth’s reaction was to dig deep and stick the ball up their jumper whenever possible, while West were perhaps guilty of trying to play too much rugby with long passes and clever training ground moves being thwarted by the elements.

West had started the game well - keeping the ball in hand and opting to scrummage penalties instead of trying to gain ground from kicks into the gale.

But it was Morpeth who got the first try of the game on the quarter hour with No 8 Josh Williams finding a gap from close range to go in at the posts.

Undaunted, West came back with Max Tennant making 40 metres up the right. Then, with skipper Chris Atkins and Connor McLurg leading the way, a series of pick and go on the home line ended with a penalty for not releasing.

It was the visitors who continued to give as good as they got and a try looked on the cards on the half hour.

Patient play on the left saw the ball eventually moved along the backs - Will Hilditch and Sam Knight combining to send Lewis Scott heading for the right corner. However, Morpeth centre Sam Hornby was able to rip the ball as he tackled the West winger and he promptly galloped the full length of the pitch - Tennant’s diagonal chase forcing him to touchdown in the corner instead of between the posts.

Back came West with Tennant again almost going clear followed by a blindside break from scrum-half Matty Baggs. It ended with Isaac Robinson tackled just short of the line.

West had done more than enough in the first half to suggest they would be able to peg the hosts back in the second half. But Morpeth hadn’t read the script.

Tennant had to leave the field for 20 minutes with a cut to the head shortly after the restart - 17 year-old Jacob Wood coming on for what turned out to be a promising debut. However, he will remember the game for what may prove to be one of the more frustrating of what will hopefully be a long career.

Morpeth defended very well, as West continued to huff and puff and try to force the game,  and the home side took their chance. Centre Jake Stevenson showing West how to finish as he beat three defenders from close range to give his side a 17-0 lead just before the hour mark. Kieran Smith's conversion attempt was right in front of the posts but such was the gale he could only hit a post.

West’s heads went down as Morpeth’s went up,  and two minutes later the lead was stretched to 24 points when Scott stepped out of the defensive line as the Morpeth’s backs attacked in the West 22. He almost intercepted but instead  knocked on.  Scotty was off the sin-bin and the penalty try effectively sealed the game for the hosts.

To add to West’s misery Morpeth scored from another breakaway three minutes later as right winger Nathan Arkle collected a loose ball on his own 22 going all the way to finish the scoring.

West almost got a deserved consolation with Charlie Kay darting over from ten metres for what would have been his first league try. Sadly, Will Hilditch had crossed in front and referee Rebecca Rees chalked it off.

There was a plus for West in the performance of Josh Wilson in the second row, who had been happy to be dropped in at the deep end despite only returning to rugby a few weeks ago. His effort, and those of his teammates, deserved a closer score line.

A few weeks off now for festivities before another big league game on January 6th when Consett visit Brinkburn - a day when the other teams at the foot of Regional 2 North all face tricky away trips. A chance to put things right.

Morpeth: Kieran Smith, Nathan Arkle, Jake Stevenson, Sam Hornby, Miles Gavaghan, Callum Lawn, Jack Elliott, Huseyin Yilmaz, Ian Grieve, Tony Moody, Elliott Clark, Chris Johnstone, Dan Goose, Cade Whifield, Josh Williams.

Reps (all used): Dan Stafford, Simon Manley, Ian Burnham

Tries: Williams, Hornby, Stevenson, penalty try, Arkle.

Cons: Smith.

West: Matt Siddle, Lewis Scott, Sam Knight, Will Hilditch, Max Tennant, Ollie Connolly, Matty Baggs, Jack Angus, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Adam Hutchinson, Ollie Webster, Josh Wilson, Connor McLurg, Isaac Robinson, Chris Atkins (capt).

Reps (all used) ; Jacob Wood, Louis Adamson, Charlie Kay.

Yellow: Scott

Referee: Rebecca Rees (Northumberland  Society).