Injuries hit YM hard on tough trip to Morpeth

18+, UK residents only. 1 entry each round per player. Prizes will be shared in the event of multiple winners. Full T&Cs apply.

begambleaware.org – Need Help? Call the National Gambling Helpline on 0800 802 013 IT was a weakened YM side that lost 36-12 Morpeth on a day when a full-strength team was needed.

On top of the existing long-term injured, this week saw further seasonthreatening problems for Harvey Burnet and Josh Lumb, and the unavailability of winger Kyle Tetley and second-row Jack Housley.

But until early in the second half the YM were competing well and still in contention. However, when a very competent Morpeth outfit put their foot on the gas it was too much for the YM to handle.

Kicking off with a very lightweight pack and changed back line-up, the YM started well taking the game to Morpeth. In response on their first attack the home side were awarded a penalty but failed to take advantage.

YM came back with a good break out of defence by Stead, which allowed them to exert heavy pressure on the Morpeth line, leading to an opening for the hardworking Ed Black to exploit and crash over from close range for YM to lead 5-0.

Eventually the home side’s efforts were rewarded when their influential back-row, Ollie Dynan, found a way through the defence to claim a try, which was converted by Ben Hornby.

Minutes later after the YM were penalised for dropping the scrum, Hornby was on target again stretching his side’s lead to 10-5.

As the half progressed, the YM were making more and more of a game of it and, for lengthy periods, had the home side under pressure. Morpeth’s cause wasn’t helped when their winger Jonny Ward followed Dynan into the bin for another high tackle leaving the YM with a numerical advantage.

Indiscipline in the Morpeth ranks saw the YM awarded a couple of penalties which Bradley elected to run, allowing the YM to close in on the Morpeth line, from where prop Sam Slater took the ball over to claim the score.

Stead added the extras as YM had their noses in front 10-12 at half-time.

Injuries to full-back Gardner and winger Clough required a positional rethink and with a dearth of back replacements on the bench, a complete reshuffle of the pack was required.

This was the Morpeth cue to step up the pace and they did so, battering away at the YM defences.

Their efforts were rewarded when Dynan went over for his second try after the defence were eventually found wanting.

Hornby added the extras and Morpeth pulled away at 17-12.

The contest started to look very onesided with Morpeth constantly in the faces of the still defiant YM defence.

On a rare visit into the Morpeth 22, YM were looking threatening only for the ball to be spilled at a crucial moment.

The home defence were on it in a flash and raced away up field leaving winger Jonny Ward to claim a fine individual score for 22-12.

With so many players in unfamiliar positions, Morpeth were quick to exploit their advantage and went on to score further tries through their number 8 Matt Dawson, and finally a hat-trick try from back-rower Dynan, both of which Hornby converted.