A further three second-half tries with an Old Albanian converted try squeezed amongst them, gave the hosts an impressive victory with the season just around the corner.

MATCH REPORT

In this last friendly game before the start of the 2015/16 league programme, the hosts were determined to consign their ‘double loss’ last season to visitors Old Albanians RFC, to history.

At the same time, buoyed by their win the previous week against Richmond RFC, Old Albanians RFC were anxious to confirm that form against National League One opposition Darlington Mowden Park RFC and underline their own credentials for a successful campaign in National League Two (South), having been relegated last season.

Both team had seen significant changes to personnel during the summer break, with players moving on for various reasons and recruits mustered for the forthcoming campaign.

Although both teams made intermittent changes to their players during the game, the decent crowd in attendance were thoroughly entertained in a full-blooded encounter.

Old Albanians RFC were on the front foot from the off and this was reflected in an early score by winger Mick Allan, who squeezed into the corner (0 – 5), the home defence having been stretched.

Having missed an early penalty opportunity, home fly half Grant CONNON made amends after a period of retained possession by Darlington Mowden Park, when he dummied his way through the visiting defence to score (5 – 5) and then converting his own try (7 – 5).

It was clear that after a short period of stalemate at the set piece, the home side were starting to dominate the scrum and this was underlined when No. 8 Ollie HODGSON dotted down from a 5-metre pushover try (12 – 5).

Shortly afterwards, the home side were further in front, when new addition scrum Half Bruno BRAVO found himself facing three defenders on his way to the line. All proved no opposition for the player, as he skilfully avoided the trio and touched down for the home sides third try (17 – 5).

Old Albanians were playing their part in proceedings, gaining possession and testing the home sides defence, however at oranges the score of 17 – 5 was a decent reflection of the game.

On resumption of play, again Old Albanians started the brighter and after a midfield penalty was kicked by them to the corner, although the initial catch and drive attempt was thwarted by the home defence, further pressure on the line saw visiting fly half Nick Foster touchdown (17 – 10), centre Chris May converting (17 – 12).

With the visitors edging closer to the home tally, they tried to push on and take command of the game, however, this was not in the home sides plans for the second half.

Some good, stern defence was exhibited by Darlington Mowden Park, as Old Albanians sought an equalising try.

From some sound, aggressive tackling, the home side broke out of defence, led by the home pack, who inter-passed the length of the filed, for winger Tom KILL to finish off after supporting his forwards well (22 – 12).

A carbon copy try followed, from another break out, started by newcomer lock Tom JUBB and finished by winger George WAKECOKE (27 – 12), with replacement Max CONNON adding the extras (29 – 12).

The home pack were giving their counterparts a torrid time in the scrum, regularly taking their ball and on one such strike ‘against the head’, replacement No. 8 Rory DUFF made ground 15 metres out, before passing on to newcomer Portugese centre Tomas APPLETON who’s power carried a defender over for the home sides sixth and final try of the game.

A decent workout for both sides prior to the start of the league next week, where Darlington Mowden Park RFC visit Cinderford RFC (k.o. 3pm).