The Centurions advanced in the County Cup competition with what appears to have been a fairly comfortable victory. However, this was only possible because the home front five of Alex Birkenshaw, Robbie Binks, Jonny Pape, Ian Charlton and Jason Armstrong were able to compete with heavier, more experienced opponents and provide some decent possession for a quality set of three-quarters.

Morpeth took an early lead by converting a penalty. A Dicky Hall catch and drive from deep in his own half led to a sparkling handling movement that saw Will Jonas release Tom Robson who glided home. Globe-trotting scrum-half Sam Richardson stole the ball at a Morpeth ruck and fed quick-thinking full back James Ferguson, first to arrive in support and race over.

Fly-half Robson, whose astute kicking was a feature of the game, chipped over and the chase was won by Charlton who was able to slip the ball to Martyn Hutton for the try. Left winger Spencer Tolley crossed over to the right, made ground and laid the ball back beautifully. Three long passes later saw flanker Jonas take well, beat all cover and cross in the corner. The first half was completed as the exciting centre Aaron Murray finished off another dazzling handling exhibition to leave the score 29-3 at the break.

The visitors tightened up the game and began to use their pack more in the second half. Robson though, twice kicked to the corners and excellent chases, firstly by Seb Jansen and then the bustling flanker Brogan Millar saw them both rewarded with tries.

Morpeth were also deservedly rewarded for their efforts with two close range efforts of their own and it required try-saving tackles by Josh Scollick, Shaun Taylor and Alex Anson to prevent them getting a toe hold in the game. Any worries were dispelled when Kael Horton won the ball in midfield. Replacement number 9 Simon Pattison switched direction releasing Graeme Hutton who ran powerfully and timed a lovely inside pass to the mercurial Dan Heppell who sprinted home.

The pleasing nature of the tries meant that Robson was left with some difficult conversions and he was only able to land three to round off an excellent performance against determined opponents.