Made the trip to Morpeth over the snow covered North Yorks Moors (though roads virtually clear) to find better conditions - no snow at all - once past Guisborough.
Morpeth brought good playing conditions for running rugby with a decent pitch as well as a welcoming Clubhouse. The goodly number of Scarborough supporters probably outnumbered the good natured locals, we were certainly more vociferous.
I was certainly optimistic prior to kick-off, in that we could at least give Morpeth a good game despite their much vaunted home record this season.
After an exchange of penalties and a converted try to the home side Scarborough were settling down and, I thought, were still well in the game at half-time after we had spurned three good try scoring opportunities - one of which looked to be a good try right by the posts and could have tied the scores prior to the half-time whistle. However, Scab’s were inexplicably penalised and taken back for ‘yet another’ clearance kick to the home side.
In the second half Morpeth turned the screw attaining good clean ball from both the line-out and scrum and although Scarborough fought back with two tries late in the game it was not to be! Certainly ‘one of those days’ when the bounce of the ball and the peep of the whistle seemed to go against them. However no complaints at all from the excellent crowd of away supporters, the best team won on the day 34pts to 13pts, which took Morpeth to the top of N1E on points difference. Scab's now second also on 64pts, Hudd. YM in third with 62pts the next seven teams all in the 40's.
Morpeth were strong all round with a solid pack and strong runners behind and good for yet another home victory.
Scab's can only look forward to meeting West Leeds at Silver Royd next weekend and despite their League position they are not to be taken lightly!
