Debutant winger George Deveraux, a late hijacking from the Morpeth area, managed to score a hat-trick of similar tries in the first half, finishing well out wide after beating his opposite number. The first of these came after a long pass from fly-half Rob Parker released full back Callum Young who made a long side-stepping run from his own half to link up with the winger. A well worked move between Parker and centre Jamie Murray again saw the ball slipped to Deveraux before he was provided with a third after another brilliant run by Young was supported by Rory Craney and Murray. Parker added two conversions that were the difference between the sides at half time as the heavy Morpeth pack had driven over from close range for three tries of their own to leave the score 17-19.

The task in the second period was made more difficult following the withdrawal through injury of hard-working flanker Charlie Harvey.

A long penalty from Parker found touch deep in the Morpeth 22 metre area. A soaring catch by Nathan Washington, who consistently provided good ball from the line out, led to a driven maul. The impressive scrum half Ben Common, refusing to be intimidated by the attentions of the powerful Morpeth flankers, released the ball to Parker who worked a beautiful switch move with Murray and the centre sailed over without a hand laid on him. Parker added the points but Morpeth replied with their own converted after another drive by their pack.

At this point Morpeth appeared to take the initiative and try saving tackles by Mark Smales, Ian Charlton and Young were required to prevent them taking the lead.

But then in the last ten minutes the big home forwards appeared to tire a little. This was in no small measure due to the big shift put in by the front row of Owen Loughead, Arran Smith and Ed Craney. Whilst conceding stones, (kilos?), in weight, they managed to achieve parity in the set scrummage and still be first to the breakdown or to support all over the field.

This additional pace and mobility of the Centurians team led to two late tries that produced a scoreline that did not reflect the narrow gap between the sides.

Veteran winger Andy Purves received the ball near half way and made good ground before spotting the arrival of the defensive cavalry. Ever the footballer, he prodded the ball forward and the well judged kick came to rest just over the line. The sensationally quick Number 8, Tom Shrimpton, raced up to apply downward pressure. A loose Morpeth punt ahead was then fielded by Young who again jinked over half way, linked with Parker who provided another long pass to the willing Washington who careered over the try line. Parker added the conversion to cap a fine performance by a side where, due to withdrawals, only four players were in their normal positions and had only 14 men in the second half in the absence of any replacements.