Darlington Mowden Park notched a 7th home win of the season on Saturday with a low scoring win over Bishop's Stortford. The game was much more open than the scoreline suggests, with both sides contributing to an entertaining clash in Round 24.

Stortford enjoyed the better of the first half, but saw a number of tryscoring chances go awry as Mowden defended their line well. After a tight opening quarter, it was the visitors who opened the scoring through winger Chris Smith who finished a sharp counter attack from Nick Hankin. Tom Walker converted, before adding a penalty minutes later to stretch their lead to 10. Mowden grew into the game, and eventually took advantage of their pressure when Phil Graham dived over after an overlap on the right. Stortford then camped themselves in the DMP half, but knocked on twice close to the line to leave the score 5-10 at the break.

The pattern of the first half continued early in the second, with the away side enjoying more territory. A second penalty from Walker edged them further clear, but Stortford were soon reduced to 14 when Hankin was sin binned for a high tackle on Checksfield. It would prove to be a key moment in the game, with a clinical DMP side taking full advantage to score 12 points with the extra man. First Oscar Usher crashed over after a driving maul, before Yaree Fantini broke clear from a ruck in midfield to step the covering defender and dot down under the posts. Callum Pascoe converted the Fantini try on his 50th appearance for the club to give DMP a 4 point lead heading into the final 10 minutes. Stortford pressed for a vital late try, but twice Mowden stole key lineout ball to stifle the visitors attack and see out a hard fought win at the Arena.

Mowden now travel to Leicester Lions in their final away game of the campaign, while Stortford face a pivotal home game against Sale FC knowing a win would go a long way to securing their National One status for next season.