A DISAPPOINTING day saw Stocksfield fail to build on their fantastic opening day success.

They were well below par as they welcomed Morpeth to the Tyne Valley, unable to cause a challenge as the lost by seven wickets.

While Morpeth didn’t secure the winning runs until the fourth last over, it was ultimately plain sailing as they picked up the full 20 points.

The visitors won the toss and put Stocksfield into bat, and their opening bowlers enjoyed early success as David Rutherford saw off both Dan Whiley and Jonny Tobin within the first five overs.

At 17-2, Ben Archer and Steven Henderson were thrown together and the pair rebuilt the innings with a solid partnership of 77 putting the team back on track.

Both batted well as they made five fours each, but Stocksfield were reeling at the loss of three quick wickets.

Henderson was caught behind by Joe Craigs, Archer went to a catch by Paul Elliott and Sam Beedle gave away his wicket to Callum Lawn to see Stocksfield slump from 94-2 to 99-5.

Tris Douglas was his typically aggressive self with a well made 40, but Stocksfield struggled to recover from the mini collapse. Andy Wood came in and helped tick the scoreboard on, but Morpeth restricted the scoring with a tight final 10 overs.

Stocksfield were given early hope of defending their total when James Doneathy bowled opener Ben Gascoigne with the score on four, but the home side’s bowling was not up to its usual standard and Morpeth were let off the hook.

A combination of wayward deliveries and misfielding made it all too easy for the visitors, who were happy to take full advantage. Andy Wood’s spin kept the lid on the scoring midway through the over, his spell making scoring tricky and he saw off James Sander, but not before making his half century.

Aaron Rourke then celebrated his promotion to the first team with the wicket of Joe Carrick, caught by Doneathy, but Rutherford and Craigs punished the many bad balls that came their way and they were able to ease their team to victory in the 47th over.