U14 - MOWDEN TURN THE TABLES IN CONVINCING VICTORY

Right from the start it was clear that this was going to be a different game. In the first five minutes the pack showed that they were committed to the ruck and twice won turnover ball by driving Bishop off their own ball. Early rain and a muddy pitch should have made handling difficult but Mowden ignored what should have been and moved the ball wide with speed and accuracy to create overlaps and opportunities.

Turnover ball won by Michael Hall gave Gordon Thompson an early chance to set the backs away whilst Bishop were out of position. Mark Wilson spread the ball wide and Matty Warr had a first run just being tackled 15 metres out. Quick recycling saw Mowden with a 2 man overlap and Joe Craggs over the line for Mowden’s opening try. Tamer Fuat converted the score.

Elliot Wanless was taking the opportunity of Mowden’s early dominance to get into the line. The ball was moved from left to right across the width of the pitch creating space in the centre of Bishop’s defence. Sam Lorimer saw a gap and drove beyond the gain line, setting the ball back as he was tackled. Mark W switched play to the left and Elliot rushing into the line scored in the left corner. Tamer struck the ball well but it just drifted past the right post.

During the next period the play on the pitch became a bit fractious, resulting in some off-pitch conversation that was beyond the normal good-natured banter of opposing supporters. Credit to both sets of players that they kept their mouths closed and their minds on the game.

Bishop were unable to get out of their own 22 as fierce tackling by Jonny Teague and Tamer in the centre and Mark Harsley and Matty Warr on the wings meant that Bishop were forced to kick giving Elliot a chance to run back at them.

The final score in the first half was set up by more good forward play. Mowden front row of Connor Noble, Ryan Hall and Alfie Wilson had complete dominance in the set piece scrums and took one against the head. Max Harrison set up a driving maul supported by Michael and Tom Lawson gaining many metres. When that was brought down Joe, Ryan and Alfie took up the charge. With Bishop men tied into stopping Mowden progress there was space outside and Matty Warr didn’t need to be asked twice and scored in the right hand corner. Another good conversion attempt was just wide

Half time Mowden 17 Bishop Auckland 0

From the kick off Jonny caught the ball and as the Bishop pack rushed at him, launched a long pass out to Joe who committed his marker before passing to Mark H. Mark hurtled down the wing and only an excellent tackle stopped him from scoring. He set the ball back well and Gordon, spotting gaps on the right fired the ball down the line to Ollie (on for Matty) who ran round the defence to score under the posts. The try was duly converted by Tamer.

Mowden scrum retained dominance and James Maclintock (on for Ryan) and Simon Shepherd (on for Alfie) continued to make life difficult for the Bishop pack. The lineouts were also going Mowden’s way and as, on a Bishop throw, the ball bounced free Connor did a great job of securing it. Sam grabbed him and drove into the Bishop 22. Sam broke away with the ball and ran in a try in the left hand corner. Tamer clearly had his kicking boots on and in the relatively still conditions converted from the touchline to bring the score to 31-0.

Bishop were not taking this lying down and some of their bigger players were running powerfully at the Mowden defence. Mark H in particular made some fine tackles on bigger guys to snuff out the attacks.

Another lineout steal from Joe set up the next try. Mark W had placed a clever grubber kick out for a lineout close to the Bishop line. Joe caught the ball and the forwards bound round to drive over the line, allowing Tom to break off and put the ball down in the right corner. With a kick that would have made Jonny Wilkinson envious, Tamer slotted the ball between the posts from the more difficult side of the pitch.

At this point Mowden took their foot off the gas and in particular committed fewer people to the rucks. This allowed Bishop to gain more ball going forward and they began to play some better rugby.

However Mowden had the final word in the game. A scrum in front of the Bishop posts was delayed because Tom, with obvious regard to his complexion and having decided to apply a mud pack to his face, found that he couldn’t see and had to get cleaned up. Bishop won the ball but good tackling penned them back. Finally Jonny won turnover ball and Joe was able to run in his second try under the posts. Tamer converted with the final kick of the game.

Full time Mowden 45 Bishop Auckland 0

This was a really excellent team performance with forwards and backs linking well and superb handing in difficult conditions. Also we saw what can be done when we commit sufficient people to the rucks; we deliver quick ball that has the opposition out of position and creates gaps for our attackers, and we win plenty of turnover ball.

Next match is home against Blyth on Sunday 20th March. They will be tough opposition and we will have to be totally committed and at our best to meet the challenge.