Northumberland Challenge Cup Semi Final
Morpeth 17 - 14 Percy Park
In a repeat of last year's semi final, Park made Morpeth fight all the way for their win, to meet the victors of the other semi final, Tynedale or Northern. In fact Percy Park could have won the match if the catch and drive from a line out in the home side 22, hadn't been adjudged held up, with two minutes remaining on the clock.
Park had much of the early possession in the first half, and scored the opening try of the game, when David Griffiths crashed through the home defence and off loaded to his centre partner Craig Firth, who was stopped just short of the line. A popped pass to Liam Casey saw the Park full back go over the line for the score which Marcus Rutter converted to take an early lead after 8 minutes.
Morpeth replied on the 20 minute mark when prop Dickinson broke through the Park defence to score, and the try was converted for the home side to level the scores. Just before half time, Marcus Rutter chipped the defence and recovered his own kick to score a converted try, and at the break Percy Park were leading 7 - 14.
In the second half, Morpeth had much of the territorial advantage, and scored through scrum half Jackson, who picked up at the base of the scrum to cross the line through a body of players, but the try remained unconverted, and Park held on to a slender lead.
On 58 minutes, Anton Rodgers scored in the corner after breaking through 3 attempted tackles, but again the try remained un converted, but this was enough for the North 2 east side to take a slender lead 17 - 14. Morpeth could have stretched their lead further when they were awarded a penalty on the Park 10 metre line for hands in the ruck. The normally unerring Jinks took over kicking duties but missed the penalty attempt.
Park continued to battle hard to try and secure a place in the final, and were awarded a penalty just before the final whistle. Rather than go for the kick at goal to level the scores, Park opted to kick to the corner, and were unlucky not to snatch the lead at the end from the catch and drive that followed.
Morpeth held out for the win, but were given a shock, as no doubt they expected an easier route to the final playing opposition in the league below.