Both sides conjured up an excellent and entertaining game at the Darlington Arena, with 10-tries scored, with the difference being the metronomic, slot machine like precision of home kicker Warren SEALS, who had a 100% success rate with his seven shots (5 conversions, 2 penalties), compared to his misfiring counterpart in Rotherham’s Ben HOLLINSWORTH, who only managed the one shot out of his five shots.

Mowden’s free running confidence returned back at the Arena after the disappointment of last week’s loss away at Cinderford RFC, with both forwards and backs showing their stamina throughout the game and always looking capable of scoring more than the opposition.

All credit to Rotherham, as their Achilles heel of late has been their poor showings from the 70th - 80th minutes of games, whereas yesterday they seemed to have banished that demon, by keeping going, running in two good tries in the latter minutes of the game.

Mowden skipper Ollie HODGSON put in a Player-of-the-Match performance, guiding his side throughout the contest and adding two tries of his own for good measure.

In fact it was HODGSON who scored the opening points of the game, as No. 9 Euan McKIRDY fielded an opposition kick, taking the ball at pace down the line, only to be swallowed up by the opposition. But it was HODGSON who stripped the ball from him and sprinted to the Rotherham line, outpacing the covering defence for the touchdown. (5 – 0)

With SEALS in imperious form, he made no mistake with the extra points, (7 – 0) giving Mowden the lead after less than five minutes gone.

Rotherham roared back with two well rehearsed catch and drive lineouts, fashioned from Mowden giving away two needless penalties in midfield. Both kicks found touch within 5-10 metres from the Mowden try line and both were well executed and unstoppable once in motion, with visiting skipper Zachery POOLE at the helm of both mauls to score his brace. (7 – 10)

Mowden began to exert pressure and the visitors’ lead was short lived, when home flanker Callum MACKENZIE forced his way over near the posts (12 – 10) and with SEALS converting (14 – 10) and adding a penalty a short period later, (17 – 10) Mowden looked in the ascendancy.

The breakdown always appeared a messy affair in this game, with players not penalised for slow rolling away or interfering at the base, but as both teams appeared to be equally as responsible, the official seemed reluctant to intervene.

Just before the break, home No. 8 HODGSON (22 – 10) added his second try for his brace and the conversion from SEALS brought the first half to a close at 24 – 10.

Mowden added further points, when after a couple of minutes after oranges, SEALS edged the home side further ahead with a well stuck penalty. (27 – 10)

A bizarre incident followed, with Rotherham in possession in the Mowden half. Home flanker George STOKES appeared to have done his job, when a Rotherham player had failed to release the ball, with the official indicating as such and a home penalty. However, STOKES released at this point, but the referee played on as Mowden stopped.

The ball was whisked out to quick thinking Rotherham fly half HOLLINSWORTH, who accurately kicked the ball to the corner, where visiting wing Ben ROBBINS gathered to score, (27 – 15), with play-maker HOLLINGSWORTH successful with the spot kick. (27 – 17)

With replacements introduced, it was the home side who profited from this tactic, as replacement lock Tom MARSHALL, who had only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes, increased Mowden’s tally with a close quarter rumble over the try-line, (32 – 17), which was converted again by SEALS. (34 – 17)

This was quickly followed with a similar try by hard-working prop Conrad CADE, who showed his strength not only in the scrum, but open play, as he forced his way over as Mowden completed a series of pick and drives within the visitors’ 5-metre line, scoring near to the posts, (39 – 17) with SEALS converting. (41 – 17)

Traditionally renowned for their strength in the pack, Rotherham threw caution to the wind and began to run the ball with nothing to lose and to their credit, Rotherham roared back with two late tries through lock FROST from another catch and drive effort (41 – 22) and the best try of the game from ROBBINS, (41 – 27) with the ball literally run from deep in their own half and Mowden on the attack.

However, it was all too late as the missed conversion heralded the final whistle in what had been a thoroughly entertaining game of rugby.

Also, all credit to the fans in attendance, with a sizable contingent from Rotherham, to add to the MowdenFamily faithful, all of whom brought the noise.

DMPRFC
15. Paul JARVIS, 14. Brendan ASHER-WOOD, 13. Benjamin FRANKLAND, 12. Benjamin DIXON, 11. Oliver WALKER, (Chris McTURK, 50), 10. Warren SEALS, (Garry LAW, 73) 9. Euan McKIRDY, 1. Conrad CADE (Scott WESTWOOD, 70) 2. Joe DUFFY, 3. Jonas HUMBERT (Tom MARSHALL, 60), 4. Talite VAIOLETI, 5. Joe CRAGGS, 6. George STOKES, (Guy GRAHAM, 70), 8. Oliver HODGSON.
Replacements: All Used.

SCORING
Try: HODGSON (3, 40), MACKENZIE (21), MARSHALL (65), CADE (69)
Conversion: SEALS (4, 22, 40, 65, 70)
Penalty: SEALS (28, 42)
Drop Goal: None
Penalty Try: None
Sin Bin: None

ROTHERHAM TITANS RFC
15. Tomas BACON, 14. Ben ROBBINS, 13. James COOKE, 12. Tom BULLOUGH, 11. Connor DEVER, 10. Samuel HOLLINGSWORTH, 9. Samuel BOXHALL, 1. Tobias WILLIAMS, (Harry WHITFIELD, 35), 2. Jack BERGMANUS, (Harry NEWBORN, 60), 3. William DENNIS, 4. Daniel PRESTON-ROUTLEDGE, (Elliott WARD, 60), 5. Kieran FROST, 6. Lewis WILSON, 7. Alfie NORTH, (Sam WADDINGTON,12), 8. Zakery POOLE.
Replacements; George CASTLEDINE (Not Used)

SCORING
Try: POOLE (9, 19), ROBBINS (44, 80), FROST (76)
Conversion: HOLLINGSWORTH (44)
Penalty: None
Drop Goal: None
Penalty Try: None
Sin Bin: None

HT: 24 - 10
FT: 41 – 27
Attendance: 855
Referee: Mr Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
Referees Assistants: Mr David Charlton, Mr Paul Fincken
Player of the Match: Oliver HODGSON (DMPRFC)
Next Week: OLD ELTHAMIANS RFC (A)