THIS was a comfortable victory for Morpeth whose new season has got off to a dream start.

Reagan lost the toss and it was no shock when the visitors were asked to bat on another green top with overcast conditions.

The openers had to work hard against some disciplined bowling early on, but Reynolds and Leason looked to be weathering the storm until the Australian was unluckily judged to have nicked a delivery from South-African Parr for 13.

Morpeth continued to falter as Reagan was trapped by Moore's medium pace, leg before on ten.

Leason, however, was showing his experience and the punchy right-hander was joined by Maxted who looked positive early on against both seamers.

Helped by some friendly first change seam bowling, Leason began looking more expansive.

But on 24, after a cleanly hit straight six, Maxted was LBW to May, and Leason was soon dismissed in similar fashion for 46, despite what appeared to be an inside edge.

Suddenly looking vulnerable, new recruit from Tynemouth Nick Foster and returning left-hander Jonny Craigs laid the foundation for what would be an unreachable target.

Foster looked elegant and patient when necessary, while Craigs refused to let any bowlers settle by driving anything over pitched and regularly advanced down the pitch to upset the rhythm.

Craigs had passed 50 with a flurry of straight hits for four and six and Foster looked to be heading for the milestone when they fell in quick succession with only a few overs to go.

After a superb back foot punch through mid-off, Foster was caught in the deep by Moore off Thornberry's bowling for 37, and Parr returned to york Craigs for a masterful 66.

Wailes and Horner both perished caught on the boundary, and Palmer gave Parr his fourth wicket, also losing his off stump.