Mowden beat Durham to retain place in County Cup competition.

December 1st, 2013, the sort of day which reminds all why they play or watch rugby - quarter final of the U16 cup against Durham. The weather was kind, no wind or rain, and a temperature that ensured Mike's knee didn't seize up!

As expected, after beating them earlier in the season, Durham had brought back all of their big guns! However, Mowden were focused from the start and played with a real intensity in the forwards, really fronting up to the Durham pack. Mowden forward dominance was the theme of the day, and in all phases and set pieces, dominated the opposition, and really fronted up in some intense exchanges. It was good to see all the hard work from the practise ground taking shape in the game.........We had cabs, and taxis, some red, some amber, and some green. Now I have no idea what they all mean, but at least most of the players seemed to, with perhaps the exception of Savas, who it transpires is colour blind!

Anyway, all of the forward dominance and good ball, allowed the backs plenty of opportunity to "knock on" and these they took, most gratefully!!!!

Durham are a quality side and the first half ended scoreless, although I felt that some of our work deserved a try, however wasn't to be. A great effort by the backs to keep the talismanic Durham back line quiet throughout the first half with great line speed and first up tackles.

Inevitably the physicality took its toll and 5 minutes before half time, Durham were reduced to 14 men after a dangerous tackle. This meant that we had 8 forwards against 7, but by some strange rule, the referee did not allow us to take advantage of this.

The second half started in the same vein, and after about 10 minutes, Durham created some space out wide on the right and managed to get over in the corner for a try. This was against the run of play, but with the quality that Durham have was perhaps inevitable in a tight match.

However the Mowden heads did not drop, and confidence continued to course through the boys veins as they pounded the Durham line with forward drive after forward drive, and eventually this pressure paid off as Sam King managed to drive over from close range to equal the scoring. Sam Field narrowly missed the conversion, making it 5-5, with 15 minutes left. Had the score remained level then Durham would have gone through on the away goal rule!

For the last 10 minutes, we were camped within 10 metres of the Durham try line, but the Durham defence was strong and our fearless runners were repelled time and again. Durham got the ball briefly, and looked like they might break free for a try against the run of play, however tackles were made and Mowden set up camp again in the Durham 22. Eventually the pressure paid off, and Rowan tripped over his laces and managed to get the ball down in the corner........!

The crowd erupted, Heather and Jackie abandoned the coffee, and had to be stopped from making a topless pitch invasion, Andy Beasley rued the fact that there was no bar, and Rory headed off with his broom!

Conversion narrowly missed and the whistle went! A marvellous spectacle. ....................................it was not, however, as a hard, disciplined performance that demonstrated the "dog" in them, and the progress this side has made it was outstanding! Every player who played today should be very proud, and the win really shows the depth in the squad across all positions!

Well done boys, bring on Sunderland in the next round.........Mowden are the form side in Durham! Same intensity next week to ensure we reverse the earlier result this season against Percy Park.......Brilliant!