In stark contrast to last weekend's trip to Hull, Mowden flew out of the blocks and quickly opened up a 17 point advantage after as many minutes. DMP skipper Joe Craggs opened the scoring after just 4 minutes with a well taken try, before Morgan Passman doubled the lead with a trademark try from half way. The third came soon after, with Yaree Fantini breaking away from a maul 45m out and sprinting away to score in the corner. Ali Ledingham converted the Fantini try to make the score 17-0. The remainder of the half was largely dominated by the visitors though, who scored two quickfire tries after Callum Mackenzie was shown yellow for going off his feet at a ruck. The two Stortford tries took the score to 17-12 at the break.

The Stortford comeback continued in the second half, with substitute Joss Linney diving over out wide to level the scores. Dave Fisher was then shown red for a dangerous clearout, with the visitors taking full advantage as Linney crossed for his second soon after to give them a 5 point lead. Despite being down to 14, Mowden pressed on and enjoyed the better of the final quarter. As they piled on the pressure with repeated driving mauls, Liam Checksfield scored the bonus point try to level the scores once more. Replacement Matt Minogue held his nerve to edge Mowden ahead with the subsequent conversion, setting up a nerve-wracking finish for the home supporters. A penalty on half way handed the visitors a chance to win it late, and fly half Dan Cole obliged to give them victory by the narrowest of margins.

Despite an opening defeat of the season, Mowden will no doubt take countless positives from the game including the clinical finishing of the first half and periods of outstanding defence on their own line. The result sees Stortford leapfrog DMP into 5th place, with Mowden's brace of bonus points putting them in 6th.

Mowden now face a second home game in as many weeks when they welcome an unbeaten Cambridge side to the Arena on Saturday 24th September. Click here for more information on Saturday's game.