Darlington Mowden Park were edged out by a strong Cambridge side at the Arena on Saturday after a second half comeback from the visitors. Mowden had led 15-10 at the break, but second half tries from Jake McCloud and Scott Lloyd ensured the away side went away with maximum points.

Mowden had made the perfect start, and led 15-0 inside the opening quarter. After a string of penalties against Cambridge Garry Law opened the scoring with a penalty on 6 minutes. Their first try came 10 minutes later in usual circumstances, after Kwaku Asiedu was tackled into his own posts by Callum Mackenzie and a penalty was conceded at the resulting breakdown. Scrum half Euan McKirdy took a quick tap and found Paul Jarvis out wide, with the full back weaving his way through Cambridge defenders to dot down under pressure. Jarvis was again involved minutes later when he gathered a loose ball and kicked long for Brandon Asher-Wood to chase. The South African outpaced the covering defence and stepped inside to score under the posts, Law converting to extend the lead to 15. A trademark driving maul from the visitors narrowed the gap when Keiran Frost burrowed over, before a well judged kick from fly half Harry Johnston released Asiedu to score in the corner. Neither score was converted as the half time score read 15-10 to the home side.

Cambridge enjoyed their best spell of the game early in the second half, and spent most of the opening 10 minutes in DMP's half. More power play from the Cambridge forwards saw Jake McCloud sneak over from close range to give the visitors their first lead of the game after Johnston's conversion. Mowden hit back swiftly, and after good hands from forwards George Shannon, Ollie Hodgson and Will Jones the ball was spun out to Shaun McCartney to finish in the corner. That gave Mowden a slender 3 point advantage, one which was quickly wiped out when Scott Lloyd finished a flowing Cambridge move on the left wing. Johnston was unable to convert from the touchline leaving the visitors 2 points up heading into the final stages. Despite a number of attacks on the Cambridge 22 Mowden were unable to get the decisive score, and the away side held on for a closely fought win.

Mowden will be hoping to bounce back next weekend when they travel to in-form Sale FC, while Cambridge travel to Tonbridge Juddians.