U14s – ERRORS COST MOWDEN THE MATCH

Last season Mowden had completed two comprehensive victories over Bishop Auckland but if anyone had thoughts of another easy victory they were quickly dispelled, as a much changed and physically much bigger Bishop Auckland team emerged from the changing rooms to start the match.

Nevertheless, it appeared business as usual from the kick off when Mowden exerted early pressure forcing a scrum close to the line. A quick heel allowed Callum Oakes to crash over from 5 metres for the first try, converted by Tamer Fuat to put Mowden 7 up after 5 minutes.

However, Bishop had other plans. Handling errors and poor tackling allowed Bishop to pile on the pressure and within a few minutes they pushed their way over the line to make the score 5-7. Elliot Wanless was injured during the passage of play and retired, Tamer moving to full back and a reshuffled back line allowed John Payne onto the right wing.

Mowden fought back from the kick off as a series of passes found Mowden with an overlap on the right wing. Unfortunately a forward pass to the would be try scorer Matty Warr, prevented the score. Going forward Mowden looked impressive with Mark Harsley causing problems to the opposition on the left wing. Eventually Mowden won a scrum in the opposing 22 in the middle of the pitch. The line split allowing the space for John to go over in the corner to restore the lead to 5-12.

This time Bishop put pressure on from the kick off and within a few minutes had won a penalty in front of the posts. They took a short penalty and again missed tackles from Mowden allowed Bishop to crash over for their second try. An easy conversion brought the scores level at 12 all.

Mowden continued to put themselves under pressure through mistakes resulting in a series of penalties for Bishop in the Mowden half. Eventually the pressure told and a kick out of defence was well fielded by the Bishop winger who ran past the Mowden defence to score their third try and put Bishop into the lead for the first time in the match at 17-12.

The Bishop back line was the best that Mowden had played against this season. Mowden always looked dangerous going forward with the ability to move the ball cleanly and quickly and plenty of pace in the centres, full back and wings but Bishop were stronger and just that bit more aggressive at close quarters.

Mowden were failing to repeat the performances of previous weeks. Too many times Mowden went into a maul with the ball and emerged without it. It was no surprise when a turnover ball and more missed tackles allowed Bishop to run from their own 22 to score under the posts; another easy conversion putting Bishop 24-12 ahead.

This was the lowest point of the game for Mowden who took the game to Bishop for the rest of the half. From the kick-off the forwards pressed hard and turned over the ball to free John to score his second try of the game and bring the score to 24-17. Almost immediately Mowden came close to scoring again. Good support play by Jonny Teague won a penalty as a Bishop player failed to release when tackled. Gordon took a tap penalty releasing the forwards giving Tom Lawson some space to run but he was well tackled into touch with only a few metres to go to the touchline.

That was the last play of the half, which ended 24-17 in favour of Bishop Auckland.

For the second half Matty came off to allow the recovered Elliot back into the game. The Mowden team started the second half as they ended the first with a period of good pressure that eventually earned a penalty a few metres from the line. A worked moved between Tom and Callum saw Callum over to close the score to 24-22.

Sam Lorimer moved to a more familiar second row positions as Dominic Gibson who had played a fine game out of his normal position came off. Ryan Hall came on as flanker.

For the next ten minutes it was all Mowden. Ryan, Sam, Mike Hall and especially Callum were leading the way making big hits in the tackles, forcing errors from the Bishop team. Although smaller in size and being pushed back a little in set plays, the scrum always held their shape. The quick heeling of James McLintock and solid support of Simon Shepherd and Alfie Wilson in the front row meant that Gordon Thompson was able to get the ball away to the backs. Mark Wilson at fly-half did well to cope with an opposing fly-half who seemed to be on him almost before the ball left the scrum!

Finally the good play told and Mowden took the lead. Good open play by the backs allowed John to make good ground down the right touchline. He was tackled just inside the 22. The ball was recycled quickly allowing Elliott to jink through the Bishop defence to almost the Bishop line. Another quick recycle gave Tamer the chance to squeeze over the line. He converted his own try to put Mowden ahead by 29 points to 24. With game now in Mowden’s control, Aidan came on to replace John on the wing.

Unfortunately, Mowden lost their way again and more missed tackles allowed Bishop in under the posts for a converted try to regain the lead at 31-29.

The last few minutes saw Mowden camped on their own line. It always looked possible for Mowden to score a breakaway try as desperate defence saw them emerge with ball several times only to run it straight back into the Bishop pack where it was turned over. It was inevitable that Bishop would score again and in the last play of the game they scored under the posts for a converted try.

Final Score Bishop Auckland 38, Mowden Park 29

Scoring 5 tries away from home should be enough to win. Plenty to think about for the next match at home a traditionally tough West Hartlepool.