BRADFORD & BINGLEY RFC 11 v DMPRFC 7

Although Mowden were not at their best in this contest, there could be no denying Bradford & Bingley RFC, who probably deserved the spoils on the day.

The game was initially in doubt, as the cold snap threatened to scupper attempts to play this game. The pitch looked well, but under the surface it was very hard. Both teams and the referee, whilst adhering to protocol with regard to safety, were right to go ahead and play the game, which ended up being a cracker.

With both teams at the top end of the table and at about full strength, if the previous contest at Yiewsley Drive earlier in the season was anything to go by, it was always going to be a close affair.

So it proved to be, with the best scoring team in the league against the meanest defence.

Bradford started very well from the outset, mounting continuous attacks mainly from forward insurgencies, but their backs interjected well and looked dangerous.

Stoically, Mowden defended for that period, which proved pivotal in terms of the whole game and the way it developed.

Mowden just could not get any possession, so it came as a major surprise to the home fans and their players, when Bradford found themselves behind. Some good work out of defence resulted in Matt LISTER handing off, then scampering passed his opposite number on the wing and touching down under the posts after some intelligent play when reaching the line wide out.

Gavin PAINTER easily converted for an unlikely score line in view of what had happened previously.

However, not to be denied, Bradford responded with a well struck penalty, then took the lead five minutes later, after some uncharacteristically poor tackling in the Mowden midfield allowed the home scrum half to reach the corner. The conversion was missed, but Bradford were deserving of the slender lead at oranges.

Just as the first half was dominated by Bradford, the second belonged to Mowden, although unfortunately not a single point was added to their tally, despite continued pressure on the Bradford line.

It looked inevitable that Mowden would cross the line, when both home flankers were sin binned for killing the ball and were both off the field for a period.

However, Mowden seemed to stutter, keeping the ball tight for an inordinate period, when out wide seemed the better option. During this period roared on by the home supporters, Bradford defended excellently and weathered the storm, which proved to be decisive.

Like Mowden had done in the first half, Bradford broke out of defence, scoring a late penalty against the run of play.

Mowden hoped for more play, but Bradford breathed the sigh of relief at the officials whistle for time.

Granted, a losing bonus point was scant reward for the visitor’s efforts, but Bradford did deserve the win, albeit by a narrow margin.

In the overall scheme of things, nothing much has changed as regard league standings, with a great deal still to play for from Mowden’s perspective. Although Stockport seem to have top spot sorted, runner up is by no means a done deal.