It was 10:15 before we had 15 lads in the changing room, which put Blyth on the back foot even before KO. Blyth were chasing the game as Morpeth went 3 tries up without reply after only 8 minutes. It was another 13 minutes however before Morpeth were allowed to score again as Blyth awakened, starting to compete for possession and making some great ground with lots of positive play and multiple phases through confident rucking and support; something that the squad have been concentrating on in training over the past couple of weeks. Unfortunately all their hard work couldn't be converted into points before half time. Blyth went in 31-0 down at the whistle.
After a very positive team talk at half time, Blyth came out fighting in the second half. After only 4 minutes, the forwards turned over a loose ball with some great physicality on their own 22. Ross Miller, returning to No. 9 after a reshuffle at half time, seen the space out on the left and delivered the ball out along the back line. It eventually fell to Sean Phillipson who, with some handy footwork, slipped a tackle from a Morpeth player, handed off another and still had half the pitch to run, scoring beneath the posts. Unfortunately this proved to be Blyth's only contribution to the scoreboard today, but it was great to witness the forwards winning plenty more ball throughout the second half, led by an invigorated Matthew Dryden, sharply supported at every ruck by Harvey Jackson, and backed up by Ben Tilbury, Kieran Allen, Daniel Barker and Harvey Miller. There was evidence of stronger decision making and better communication at half back, enabling Blyth to cause Morpeth some problems in defence. Frustration and poor discipline from the hosts led to them giving away 8 penalties in the second half; however Blyth were again unable to convert this pressure into points as Morpeth's defence held strong. Blyth's defence also deserves a mention at this point, in particular the strong, physical tackling from both Ethan Dickinson in the centre and Ethan Irving at full back.
The game ended 48-7, but the score in no way reflected the commitment that Blyth brought today. Blyth have a naturally strong back line, but it was fantastic to witness the forwards today making the hard yards with a big presence and lots of physicality. Unfortunately, that physicality cost Blyth dearly, as they lost Sean Phillipson (knee), Kieran Allen (knee) and Brian Atienza (eye/temple) to injury.
Morpeth definitely didn't get it all their own way today. The opposition supporters commented on how positive the Blyth unit remained, despite the score line.
The players unanimously voted Matthew Dryden as Man of the Match and Ethan Dickinson as Top Tackler. I can't dispute either of these choices. Well done to both players.
Blyth host Novos at Plessey Road next Sunday morning.

Words G.Jackson
Picture J Phillipson