Darlington Mowden Park will go in search of their opening win of the National One season on Saturday when they visit Richmond. Saturday’s hosts have made a bright start to the campaign, and will be looking to continue their unbeaten run.

Richmond have won both of their opening fixtures this season, with Saturday’s win at Rosslyn Park coming courtesy of a late Lewis Dennett drop goal. The results see them sit 5th in the National One table, heading into their first home game of the season this weekend. Last weekend saw them finish a point ahead of DMP in 6th, with an almost identical record in 2023/24.

Mowden come into the game on the back of two tough results against Rams and Rotherham Titans respectively. Last weekend saw DMP clinch their first league point of the campaign, with an improved second half performance yielding a bonus point try courtesy of Ben Frankland. With a handful of players set to make their returns from injury this weekend, Mowden will hope for a positive result in Round 3 at a ground where they enjoyed success last season.

Last season DMP won both clashes between the two sides, with the game at the Athletic Ground being a particular highlight of the campaign. Garry Law’s side produced a standout performance last October to take a 24-34 win before an almost identical scoreline in the reverse fixture when DMP ran out 32-24 victors.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s fixture, DMP Forward Coach Joe Cain commented: “After a tough game against Rotherham it’s important we dust ourselves down and go into Richmond with the right attitude this week. We have to start the game better than we have done the last two matches.”

“Richmond are coming off the back of two really good wins so we’ll have to be on our A game to get a result down there. We won’t be shying away from the challenge and hopefully we can repeat what we managed last year down at their place and come away with our first win this season!”

Follow Richmond on social media for live updates from Saturday’s game

Address for Travelling Supporters: Richmond Athletic Ground, Twickenham Rd, Richmond TW9 2SF

Around The League

Round 3 throws up some more big games in National One, with the top two facing off. Rams and Sale FC are the only sides not to drop a point so far this season, but that will change this weekend as the two sides meet at Old Bath Road. Birmingham Moseley and Rotherham Titans are unbeaten so far, and face home games against Bishop’s Stortford and Esher respectively. At the other end of the table Leicester Lions will be looking to get off the mark when they visit Plymouth Albion, while Rosslyn Park go in search of their first win at Blackheath. The final game of the weekend sees newly promoted Dings Crusaders travel to Sedgley Park on the back of their win over Plymouth last time out.

Blackheath v Rosslyn Park
Richmond v Darlington Mowden Park
Rotherham v Esher
Rams v Sale FC
Sedgley Park v Dings Crusaders
Plymouth Albion v Leicester Lions
Birmingham Moseley v Bishops Stortford