DMPRFC 22 v CHESTER RFC 3

A convincing win over high flying Chester RFC gave the home crowd an enjoyable afternoon’s entertainment and cemented Mowden’s current good vein of form.

Three tries to nil was a complete reversal of the corresponding away fixture earlier in the season after a superb defensive effort laid the foundations for a worthy victory.

Having made only one change from the victorious efforts in the mud at Beverley the previous week, the incoming debutant Chris Peace put in an assured and very confident performance at centre, capping a fine display with an individual try.

From the outset, Mowden started the game well, attacking the visitors, pinning them down in their 22 for the first quarter, with a well struck Gavin Painter penalty as their just rewards for their efforts.

Chester then dominated the next twenty minutes of play, battering the home line with an assault which underlined their league position, their forwards paving the way and their backline full of enterprise and penetration.

However, the home defence proved more than a match for the visitors, constantly smashing back each onslaught and occasionally showing glimpses of what was to come. The sin binning of the visiting open side flanker, who displeased the home fans and the official by pulling back the jersey of a Mowden player, caused disruption in the Chester ranks and led to a complete resurgence of Mowden’s attacking prowess.

Gavin Painter missed a kickable penalty initially, before Matt Lister crossed the whitewash in the corner, after some enterprise from the backs and hard endeavour from his forward colleagues. The touchline conversion from Gavin Painter more than made amends for his earlier disappointment.

Then, after some midfield uncertainty from Chester, Chris Peace picked up a loose ball, pinned back his ears and sprinted for the same corner from thirty yards out. It looked at first as if the covering defence and the weeks of recovering from niggling injuries was going to catch up with him before he made it to the line, however this was not to be, as the defenders assisted in the final yards, taking him over the line for a crucial score just before oranges. The afters were missed, but the half belonged to Mowden and the crowd were audible in their support.

The second half saw Chester record their first points after seven minutes from a penalty awarded after Mowden had strayed offside.

Chester were determined to kick on from that, but it was Mowden who scored another try, this time from try machine Robin Eatough who took the ball wide out, touching down with two defenders unable to stop him. Another superb touch line kick from Gavin Painter was added, giving the score at 22 – 3, with nearly thirty minutes to play.

Tom Wilkinson was sin-binned with ten minutes to go for pulling down a maul and with this came Chester’s final push for respectability. They did come at Mowden with all they were able to, but again, the home side repelled each attack as before and had the experience to shut out the game at the end, heralding a worthy win over very capable opponents.

It would be unfair to single out any home player, however massive games from Will MaCaulay (pictured) and Kiwi Michael Forde paved the way for the victory.

Thoughts now turn to next week and a very tough game away to Bradford and Bingley, who are riding high in the league and who will offer stiff opposition.

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/rugby/8795179.Darlington_Mowden_Park_22_Chester_3/