However, even though opportunities were created on several occasions, that final pass or finishing touch escaped the visitors, whereas their hosts were much more clinical, highlighting the gap between leagues.

At 26 - 0 down at the interval, Doncaster Knights were good value for that lead, scoring a converted try in less than a minute, as left wing Tyson Lewis received a scoring pass to scorch in.

DMPRFC showed good defence initially, but in failing to clear their lines appropriately, they were pressurised into mistakes and allowed the second try to follow ten minutes later.

The visitors did show tenacity at the breakdown and when centres like Knights newcomer and former Leicester Tigers stalwart Tualagi are running at you with all the speed he can muster these days, then strong tackles are essential.

Lewis scored his second soon after, cutting across from his wing to step the odd would be tackler, on his way to the line.

Although a couple of catch and drive attempts were thwarted by DMPRFC, the third was more successful, registering Doncaster's fourth try before oranges.

Having said all that, DMPRFC were unlucky not to register with two good unrewarded breaks and a final pass that went astray, when a try seemed inevitable.

Although it was one way traffic on the scoreboard after oranges, when both clubs introduced the customary replacements, DMPRFC did have a decent period of possession, but scores were not to be the order of the day.

Many thanks to our very hospitable hosts and good luck to them in their quest for the coming season, where hopefully they will go 'one better' than last season. They were full value for their win.

Throughout the contest, DMPRFC competed well at the scrummage, came second best against a well functioning lineout, but were very combative throughout.

Difficult to ignore, but putting the result to one side, DMPRFC will not come up against such a strong side again in the coming season and sometimes the calibre and mettle testing of players can only be judged in adversity.

Darlington Mowden Park XV

15) Jamie Barnard, 14) Pete Homan, 13) Chris Auld, 12) Ben Frankland, 11) Callum Mackenzie, 10) Tom Putt, 9) Tim Duchesne, 1) Adam Brocklebank, 2) James Penman, 3) Ignas Darkintis, 4) Tailiti Vaioleti, 5) Myles Tucker, 6) Brandon Staples, 7) Joe Craggs, 8) Ollie Hodgson

Replacements; 16) Santiago Socino, 17) Chris Woods,18) Seb Freydell, 19) Caolan Ryan, 20) Alex Glashen, 21) Will Murrary, 22) Rory Duff, 23) Lorenzo Cemetti , 24) Dom Shaw, 25) Diogo Ferreira. (all used).