A win at Birmingham Moseley a fortnight ago saw Chinnor wrap up promotion with a round to spare, with second place Rams trailing by 9 points heading into the final weekend. Nick Easter’s side have been standouts in the league this season, with just 4 defeats so far. Only one of those defeats has come at Kingsey Road, where they boast the best home record in the league. Their only defeats on the road have come at Rams, Sedgley Park and Blackheath, although Mowden will be encouraged by their own home form against Saturday’s visitors. The Chinnor squad includes a number of familiar faces, with Morgan Passman and George Stokes likely to make their first return to the Arena this weekend.

Mowden have also enjoyed a positive season, with a young DMP side sitting in 6th place in the National One table heading into Round 26. Mowden have a record of 12 wins and 13 defeats this term, and could end the season with a 50/50 record with a win on Saturday. One of the biggest improvements in DMP’s form has been their results away from home, picking up victories at Sale FC, Richmond, Rams, Plymouth and Sedgley Park. Mowden have won 7 of their 12 home games to date, including a 17-12 win over Bishop’s Stortford last time out at the Arena.

The two sides have met in the league on 8 previous occasions, with 4 wins apiece. Previous clashes have largely been won by whichever side has been at home, with Chinnor’s last trip to the Arena ending in a 23-16 win for DMP back in September 2022.

Looking ahead to the season finale, DMP Forwards Coach Joe Cain said: “It’s nice to be at home for the last game of the season coming up against the league winners. It gives us a real good challenge against the best team in the league to finish off what’s been a very good season for us at DMP.”

“We are going into this game focusing on getting a real team performance and one that last the full duration of the game. We are coming off the back of a heavy defeat to Leicester Lions last week and need to put things right and finish the season on a high. Should be a great game and hopefully we can sneak a result at the end of it!”

Tickets for Saturday's game are available online here or on the door, priced at £12 for adults, £8 for members and FREE for under 16s.

Address for Travelling Supporters: The Darlington Arena, Neasham Road, Darlington, DL2 1DL

Around The League

With the league title already wrapped up in National One, attention turns to the other end of the table where the relegation battle goes down to the final day. Leicester can ensure their National One survival with a win at Sale FC on Saturday, while Bishop’s Stortford travel to Cinderford in a huge game with just 5 points separating the two sides. Taunton travel to Blackheath, with any of the bottom 4 standing a chance of survival as it stands. Elsewhere 2nd place Rams travel to Birmingham Moseley, Plymouth host Rosslyn Park and Richmond take on Sedgley Park.

Birmingham Moseley v Rams
Blackheath v Taunton
Cinderford v Bishops Stortford
Darlington Mowden Park v Chinnor
Plymouth Albion v Rosslyn Park
Richmond v Sedgley Park
Sale FC v Leicester Lions