DMPRFC 23 v SANDAL RFC 11

As the last meeting with Sandal RFC was a very close affair, on this occasion there was no doubting as to who had the better of this encounter, with Mowden scoring three tries to one.

By no means was this a comfortable afternoon for the home side, as Sandal RFC had sought to redress their defeat at home, however, on this occasion they did not look like winning and left Yiewsley Drive without even a losing bonus point.

It was Sandal RFC who opened the scoring after some sloppy midfield handling allowed the visitors to capitalise and score the first try. The conversion was missed.

To be fair, this was their only foray into Park territory in the first half and had it not been for the official’s whistle, Mowden could have scored three additional tries to the two that were registered on the scoreboard.

Mowden winger Robin EATOUGH took his current league total to twenty two, with two legitimate tries prior to oranges, one of which was converted by Gavin PAINTER. The tries were executed effortlessly as usual, with the winger covering the open ground with ease and swatting off defenders in his wake.

Gavin PAINTER registered a penalty before the break, with Mowden looking good for their lead at oranges.

Three scoring opportunities were pulled up by the official for forward passes, with at least one rather harshly assessed as forward and if these had all been allowed, the bonus point win would have arrived without the need for the next half.

However, at 15 – 5, Sandal RFC were still in with a shout and certainly upped the ante after oranges, pressurising the Mowden line, which thankfully held firm when tested.

Two penalties were scored by Sandal RFC during the first quarter of the second half, as Sandal RFC sought a fightback, however, as Mowden rang the changes in personnel, Gavin PAINTER slotted a penalty to kerb Sandal’s enthusiasm.

A fine individual try by Mowden’s other try scoring machine Matt LISTER, put the final seal on the game, which sees Mowden firmly established in the top half of the table.