Mowden Clinch Thrilling Away Win

Photo Credit - Paul Clark

Darlington Mowden Park put in a remarkable team performance to take an away win over league leaders Rams on Saturday. Garry Law's side ran in six tries in a thrilling contest which came right down to the wire.

Rams started the stronger of the two sides, with hooker Max Hayman barging over for the opening score inside 2 minutes. Mowden responded with a penalty from the boot of Louie Johnson, before a second Rams try followed from winger Jak Rossiter who finished well under pressure. Rams were unable to convert either of their opening tries, and Mowden were soon level when Harry Yates crashed over from close range. DMP really started to hit their stride in attack and they took the lead with a brilliantly worked try soon after. After a midfield scrum Johnson and Oli Spencer combined to take play into the Rams 22, with Spencer feeding Johnson to dive over. Things got even better minutes later when Ollie Fletcher finished a flowing team move with some slick handling from the DMP forwards. A breathless first half continued when Ollie Cole scored under the posts to narrow Mowden's lead to 5, but Rams were then reduced to 14 when Henry Bird was sin binned for a deliberate knock on. Mowden took full advantage of their extra man, with Corben Ollivent gathering a Johnson crossfield kick to dive over in the corner. Johnson converted brilliantly with the last kick of the half to take the score to 17-29 at the break.

The hosts made a strong start to the second half, and soon narrowed the deficit to 7 when Hayman powered over for his second of the afternoon on the back of another driving maul. The end-to-end nature of the game continued, and Mowden got the key next score to restore their 12 point lead. Scrum half Callum Pascoe was the architect, with an inch perfect chip being collected by Yaree Fantini to score in the corner for Mowden's fifth of the day. The league leaders looked to hit straight back after minutes of pressure on the DMP line, but it was the visitors who scored next as Fantini dotted down his second after a break from Ollie Hodgson. Johnson's conversion took the score to 22-41 with 10 minutes to play.

Just as it looked like Mowden had the result sewn up, Rams showed why they are top of the league by almost pulling off a remarkable comeback. After Johnson was shown yellow for an infringement at the ruck the hosts once again showed the power of their catch and drive, with Hayman wrapping up his hat-trick. Stevie Bryant dived over minutes later to keep the result in the balance, with Drew Humberstone's conversion narrowing the gap to just 5. A grandstand finish saw Rams work their way into the DMP 22, but a knock on sparked scenes of jubilation amongst the Mowden players and supporters alike after holding on for an incredible away win.

Fullback Oli Spencer was given Man of the Match honours after an eye catching performance in both attack and defence. The game was a great advert for National One rugby, with 12 tries in total and a number of candidates for try of the season. Credit must go to Rams for their contribution to a brilliant contest, and Mowden will hope to build on this win as they head into an important spell of fixtures.

Rams now travel to Sale FC in Round 9, while Mowden return to the Arena when they take on Sedgley Park on the club's annual Armed Forces Day. Tickets for Saturday's game are available to buy online by clicking here.