Darlington Mowden Park fell to just their second defeat of the calendar year on Saturday at Billesley Common. A late Callum Mackenzie try salvaged a losing bonus point for DMP, who had led at half time before three second half tries from the hosts took the game away.

Mowden made a bright start, and two penalties from Callum Pascoe saw them take an early lead. Rob Knox was sent to the bin for the first penalty, but Moseley bounced back well with a well taken try from Aquile Smith to narrow the gap to 1. An individual try from Yaree Fantini saw Mowden edge further ahead, before a third penalty of the half from Pascoe saw the visitors take a 5-16 lead into half time.

Unfortunately that was as good as it got for DMP, as Moseley reduced the gap within a minute of the restart when Will Safe dived over from a pick and go. Mowden’s lead was wiped out entirely when Dan Brough finished smartly on the 50 minute mark. A Jack Jolley penalty took the hosts’ lead to 6, before the decisive bonus point try from Ollie Alsopp with just 15 minutes to play. Jolly’s conversion took Moseley 13 points clear, but a second of the afternoon from Fantini kept hopes of a late DMP comeback alive. Another penalty for Jolly put the result beyond any doubt, but Mowden clinched a late bonus point when Mackenzie powered over with the final play of the game.

Mowden will now hope to bounce back when they welcome Rams to the Arena next weekend, while Moseley travel to Sale FC in Round 20.