West Hartlepool’s play-off ambitions were handed yet another blow on Saturday as they suffered only their second home defeat of the season with Morpeth coming out 21-15 victors.
After their 32-8 defeat to league leaders Doncaster Phoenix last time out West were looking to bounce back but were lucky to head into the break only a try behind.
Morpeth tested the waters in the 11th minute when they just missed with a shot on goal but went ahead just six minutes later as full-back Andy Gayner made a surge up field before he played it second row Karl Campbell who slid over for the converted try.
West were hanging by a thread for the majority of the 40 minutes with succession of penalties from Morpeth failing to reach the target.
The away side’s other clear-cut opportunity came after Zac Southern was sin-binned and the man advantage was well manipulated as centre Will Thornton steamrolled through a number of defenders before been stopped just short of the line and was eventually penalised for failing to release.
West had a few half-chances towards the end of the half as they came close with a few lineouts but failed to get that all important try before the break.
West came out for the second period with a spring in their step and managed to get their first points of the afternoon on the board just three minutes after the restart with Gav Painter converting the penalty kick.
Morpeth’s second try of the afternoon came from a needless penalty after kicking the ball away in frustration. From there Morpeth pushed deep and a series of scrums close to the line it was Jack Elliot who touched over Phillips’ conversion and it was made worse by Chris Atkins’ yellow for a foul during the build up.
The incident would sum up West’s afternoon as they struggle to muster together any legitimate attacking threat but managed to get back themselves in contention as Liam Bailey managed to cross over from close-range.
Southern took over kicking duties after Painter left the field with concussion but his miss left West needing a try to level with only ten minutes.
One positive from the afternoon was the arrival of Liam Checksfield onto the field of play as he became the clubs youngest league player but he was unable to stop Morpeth getting their final try of the afternoon.
Another attempted ball this time across to the left win was intercepted and Ben Hornby did well to beat Aaron Myers for pace to touch it down with Phillips once again converting the kick.
West managed to get a consolation try in the seven minutes that were added on as Mayer made his way under the posts with Southern converting but it proved too little too late for the home side.
The loss leaves a ten point gap between them and second-placed Morley while a single point only separates them and fourth-placed Alnwick while the three points has moved Morpeth into seventh.
West Hartlepool will take a week break before visiting Wheatley Hills on Saturday, March 19 with kick-off at 3pm.
West: Zac Southern, Joe Willis, Greg Edwards, Peter Youll, Scott Butcher, Gavin Painter, Ryan Painter, Jack Angus, Andrew Rollins, Adam Coates, Owen Bennett, Dan Boatman (captain) Liam Bailey, Aaron Myers, Sam Miller.
Changes: Liam Checksfield, Chris Atkins, John Painter.
Tries: Bailey, Myers
Con: Southern
Pen: G Painter
YC: Southern, Atkins
Morpeth: Andy Gayner, Callum Lawn, Alex Tait, Will Thornton, Ben Turner, James Phillips, Jack Elliott, Liam Carmichael, Carl Hill (captain), Tony Moody, Simon Michie, Karl Campbell, Matt Dawson, Mickey Craigs,Tim Michie.
Changes: Andy Shippen, James Armstrong,Ben Hornby
Tries: Campbell, Elliot, Hornby
Cons: Phillips 3
YC: Carmichael
Referee: Tom Ferridge [London]
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