There was plenty of effort from the visitors as they fielded a new second row in  Elliott Reed and Aaron Muir with Academy players- Hayden Hodgson, Joe Cholmondeley and Louis Ward – gaining more valuable experience.

West have one of the best try bonus points record in the league,  but were unable to give dangerous wingers Max Tennant and Sam Knight enough opportunities to affect the score. Instead,  it was hooker Aidan Jackson-Smith who continued his excellent form by scoring his side’s only tries.

The first came after a positive start from the visitors with scrum half Cholmondeley taking responsibility with a quick tap penalty,  which ended with Jackson-Smith going over and Jobe Roxby adding the extras.

The lead was to last only three minutes as Morpeth levelled in the first attack. It came up the left with a missed tackle or two allowing flanker Cade Whitfield to run in with Jake McKay slotting the conversion.

West did regain the lead on the 20 minute mark courtesy of a Roxby  penalty from 30 metres. They  continued to look the more likely to add to the  score only to be  undone by a slick move up the right,  which saw full-back Harvey Gillie taking the ball out wide and in space.

McKay’s conversion came back off the post and with the half-time score of 12-10 it looked like the game was set for a close fought second half.

That was the case until the hour mark after West had regained the lead thanks to Jackson-Smith’s second try. The hooker was lurking out wide on the left, as the forwards battered away under the posts, and when the ball was eventually moved wide he had the simplest of tasks in  diving over in the corner (above).

That proved to be the last time West bothered Morpeth’s slick new electronic scoreboard  as Roxby’s conversion was  wide.

In the game at Brinkburn Morpeth took the win with three late tries and they did it again at Mitford Road. Veteran front row Carl Hill crossing  on the hour mark  after West had the opportunity to clear their lines  - instead trying  to run the ball with a knock-on leading to a successful Morpeth scrum.

There was still only four points in it,  but the visitors were unable to mount any pressure and it was Morpeth who made the game safe with ten minutes left. This time it was second row Chris Johnstone who forced his way over from close range.

Then, from the restart, the ball was dropped in the backs with replacement Nathan Arkle gratefully collecting  to run unopposed down the left wing. McKay’s fourth conversion of the afternoon ending the scoring.

That final scoreline wasn’t a true reflection of how close the game had been for most of the afternoon. However,  West will have to strengthen their resolve when they welcome second top Consett to Brinkburn next week.

Morpeth: Harvey Gillie, Harry Hoggan, Joe Nelless, Sam Hornby (capt), Kieran Smith, Jake McKay, Tom Dungait, Huseyin Yilmaz, Carl Hill, Theo Cavanagh, Dan Stafford, Chris Johnstone, Cade Whitfield, Ryan Watson, Ryan Shaw.

Reps (all used); Dan Goose, Nathan Arkle, Oliver Haugh.

Tries: Whitfield, Gillie, Hill, Johnstone, Arkle.

Cons: McKay (4).

West: Ollie Connolly, Sam Knight, Peter Youll, Kieran Scollay, Max Tennant, Jobe Roxby, Joe Cholmondeley, Andrew Rollins, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Hayden Hodgson, Elliott Reed, Aaron Muir, Charlie Kay, Isaac Robinson, Chris Atkins (capt).

Reps (all used); Liam Pennick, Matt Siddle, Louis Ward.

Tries: Jackson-Smith (2).

On: Roxby.

Pen: Roxby.

Referee: Adam Morrison (Northumberland).