Darlington Mowden Park RFC produced their best form of the season so far, when taking a deserved 5-point haul, by convincingly beating previous league leaders Old Elthamians RFC at the Northern Echo Arena.

Recent form from the home side had suggested a very different outcome in this game, but home fans and connections were delighted in the manner in which they were entertained on a bitterly cold Saturday afternoon, with some great tries being scored.

Old Elthamians RFC made their own contribution to an exciting game, but the home side were not to be denied, outscoring their opponents by 6 tries to four and more than avenging their 33 – 22 away loss back in September last year.

The Old Elthamians squad contained some sizeable, solid citizens in the forward pack, but the home side were a match at the lineout and when called upon, also in the scrummage, despite being ‘a couple of stones per man’ heavier. However, the pack of the home pack found the visitors eight at times, ‘blowing out of their proverbials’ in key periods of the game, which appeared to be their Achilles heel.

Having said that, the they were highly competitive and fiery at times, but more than matched by the home pack.

Additionally, in their backs, fly half Tom WHITE marshalled his line effectively and supported by a lively pair of wingers and centres, they caused DMPRFC some problems all day, particularly the blistering pace of the league’s top try scorer Dominic LESPIERRE and the deceptive George PERKINS.

DMPRFC had their own speedsters in wings Brandon ASHER-WOOD and Shaun McCARTNEY, not forgetting full back Chris McTURK, all of whom produced the goods on the day.

DMPRFC’s first score came within a minute, stunning the league leaders, when home Talite Vaiolti broke from a centre-field ruck, backed up by scrum half Matt DUDMAN, who handed on to Garry LAW who went over near the posts (5 – 0), regaining his composure to slot the easy conversion. (7 – 0)

Within another five minutes, O.E.’s were further behind, when after a catch and drive lineout, the forwards set up a series of pick and go efforts, from which home hooker Jordan POOLE touched down, (12 – 0) LAW converting. (14 – 0)

O.E.’s were reduced in numbers when hooker Nathan MORRIS was sin-binned for foul play and just when they thought they had scored a good try from a tap penalty and against the run of play, the ball was dropped by their player when over the try line.

At this stage it was all the home side and no surprise when Mowden scored their third try, when a clearance kick was charge down by lock Joe CRAGGS and followed up with a pass to centre Callum MACKENZIE who dived over for the score. (19 – 0) LAW again converting from close in. (21 – 0)

The league leaders were reeling and Mowden further asserted their superiority when LAW added their fourth and bonus point try, (26 – 0) converting his own try in the process. (28 – 0)

It was Mowden’s turn to be reduced in numbers on thirty seven minutes, when flanker George STOKES was also sin-binned for foul play.

Just before the break, O.E.’s did manage to legitimately get over the line, when winger George PERKNS added their first points from a sniping run, (28 – 5) converted by Thomas WHITE for a half-time score of 28 – 7.

O.E.’s had to start well and they did, adding their second score within four minutes of the restart, with hooker Nathan MORRIS scoring, (28 – 12) and WHITE converting to bring the score a little closer. (28 – 14)

The next try was to be all important and it was Mowden who provided it, when scoring the best try of the match. It was O.E.’s on the attack in the home 10 metre area, when the ball was stripped by a defender. A thrilling series of inter-passing the whole length of the field saw Callum MACKENZIE bag his second and Mowden’s bonus point try. (33 – 14)

LAW added a penalty to put Mowden further ahead, (36 – 14) when from their own catch and drive lineout, replacement hooker Jay RUDLAND-THOMAS got one back for O.E.’s. (36 – 19)

By now it was end to end stuff and despite the efforts of the home side, O.E.s grabbed their fourth and bonus point try when winger Dom LESPIERRE squeezed into the corner. (36 – 24), converted by WHITE (36 – 26)

The game was fittingly sealed for the home side, when hard tackling and hard running winger Brandon ASHER-WOOD was rewarded for all his efforts, chipping and gathering the ball and outwitting the visiting defence for his first and Mowden’s sixth try against the league leaders. (41 – 26)

A much improved performance, to which DMPRFC Director of Rugby of Rugby, put down to his side’s pace and determination to play the game with it for 80 minutes plus, which proved to be the undoing of O.E.’s on the day.

DMPRFC

15. Chris McTURK, 14. Brandon ASHER-WOOD, 13. Oliver WALKER, 12. Callum MACKENZIE, 11. Shaun McCARTNEY, 10. Garry LAW, 9. Matthew DUDMAN, 1. Alfie BARRON (Ignas DARKINTIS, 52), 2. Jordan POOLE, Ralph APPLEBY, 4. Joe CRAGGS (Joe DUFFY, 79), 5. Talite VAIOLETI (Franco LAMMANNA MIRANDA, 75), 6. George STOKES (Jake BRADY, 65), 7. Matthew HEATON, 8. Rory DUFF

Replacements: Callum SMITH (Not used)

Scoring:
Try: LAW (1, 28), POOLE (7), Mackenzie (23, 57), ASHER-WOOD, 80)
Conversion: LAW (2, 8, 24, 26)
Penalty: LAW (64)
Drop Goal: None
Yellow card: George STOKES (Foul play)

OLD ELTHAMIANS RFC

15. Alexander BROWN, 14. Dominic LESPIERRE, 13 James GOLLEDGE (Chrles DOCKERY, 40), 12. Kieran MOFFAT, 11. George PERKINS (Jay RUDLAND-THOMAS, 17. George PERKINS, 27), 10. Thomas WHITE, 9. Oliver CLAXTON (Rhys MORGAN, 62), 1. Alexander ROGERS (Stefan NORTH, 64), 2. Nathan MORRIS Jay RUDLAND-THOMAS, 62), 3. Stefan NORTH (Lewis BROWN, 30), 4. Frederick HOSKINS, 5. Adam PREOCANIN, 6. Harry LEDGER, 7. Hamish BARTON, 8. Geroge MESSUM (Nathan THOMAS, 52)

Replacements: All used.

Scoring:
Try: PERKINS (40), MORRIS (44), RUDLAND-THOMAS (69), LESPIERRE (79)
Conversion: WHITE (40, 45, 70)
Penalty: None
Drop Goal: None
Yellow card: Nathan MORRIS (Foul play)

Referee: Mr Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
Attendance: 877
Player of the Match: Rory DUFF (Darlington Mowden Park RFC)

NEXT WEEK – BLACKHEATH RFC (H)