In ideal conditions, Mowden took the field at Heslam Park against a newly promoted Scunthorpe RFC, which contained a mixture of youth and experience, sporting 4 debutants of their own in their starting XV.

The last time the clubs clashed in league competition was during the 2001/02 season, which Scunthorpe RFC won home and away.

It was Mowden who broke the deadlock after seven minutes, when a textbook catch and drive was powerfully executed and No. 8 Simon UZOKWE, who has re-joined the club from Ealing Trailfinders, barged over for the opening try (0 – 5), converted by debutant fly-half Flynn WARD (0 – 7)

Five minutes later, when perhaps Mowden should have repeated the same tactic, but instead opted to kick the penalty, which drifted wide.
The home side responded well and some over-enthusiastic defence from Mowden was deemed offside by the referee, allowing Scunthorpe a shot at goal, with home back Will DARK gratefully obliging (3 – 7) for his teams opening score.

Mowden recevied a yellow card for persistent offsides, the recipient being debutant Jacob SWAN.

The reduction in Mowden’s numbers spurred on the home side who kicked to the corner, with the resulting catch and drive rewarding Scunthorpe’s James Dyson with a deserved try (8 – 7), the conversion being missed.

Mowden dug-in and perhaps against the run of play, scored another catch and drive try, this time finished off by debutant prop Sam CLARK (8 – 12), converted by Flynn WARD (8 – 14)

Another Mowden infringement saw Scunthorpe kick for the corner, which was destined to make the dead-ball area, had it not been touched by a visiting player, giving Scunthorpe an attacking scrum five metres out. A fine midfield exchange saw home centre Will Robinson go in under the posts (13 – 14), the afters achieved by Will Dark (15 – 14).

Scunthorpe then forged further ahead with good carries by their forwards, well into the Mowden 22-metre line, the ball eventually finding Lewis Talbot, which saw him run into the corner for a try. A great touchline conversion gave the home side a decent 22 - 14 lead just before the break and oranges.

However, the visitors struck back and applied some strong forward pressure on the home line and despite some brave defence, metronomic No. 9 Ben DOUGLAS scampered in under the posts to reduce the deficit (22 – 19), the easy conversion resulting from Flynn WARD (22 – 21) at the break.

Some stern discussion during the interval based on the high penalty count proved invaluable, as Mowden began the second half with a high tempo game, that found Scunthorpe wanting at times.

A succession of midfield driving mauls appeared to sap the strength of the home side, bringing reward, when after a catch and drive was thwarted, debutant lock Luke Coulston barged over from open play (22 – 26), with Flynn WARD adding the extras (22 – 28).

More of the same catch and drive tactics saw the home side penalised for bringing down the maul illegally. A quick tap penalty caught the home defence napping and Simon UZOKWE was on hand to crash over for his brace (22 – 33), WARD adding the conversion (22 – 35).

Scunthorpe struggled to match the pace of the game at this stage and Mowden were in danger of running riot somewhat, with hard-working skipper Joe CRAGGS forcing his way over the line for a score (22 – 40), WARD again converting (22 – 42).

More determined forward excursions into home territory brought another score for Mowden, courtesy of replacement back Shaun McCARTNEY, who powered his way through some soft defence (22 – 47), this time the conversion by No. 9 Ben DOUGLAS (22 – 49)
Not to be outdone, Scunthorpe rallied at this stage and were justly rewarded with a bonus-point try from Joey Mowbray (27 - 49), converted by Ethan Taylor (29 – 49).

However, Mowden showed no mercy as the game drew to a close, continuing with a high speed game, with firstly debutant Harry CHALLINOR ( 29 – 54),going over, converted by Ben DOUGLAS (29 – 56), then debutant James BENT scored an excellent individual try (29 – 61) rounding off the win for the visitors.

All in all, after only three games playing together (including wins against Middlesbrough RFC and Harrogate RFC), a promising beginning, with many positives, which will need to be taken into this Friday nights’ encounter with old rivals Tynedale RFC (kick-off 19.45hrs at the Darlington Arena), who themselves started their league campaign well with a resounding home win against Billingham RFC.

Man of the Match – Harrison WOOD (DMPRFC debutant hooker)

SO LET’S HAVE A FAB TURNOUT ON FRIDAY NIGHT AND MAKE SOME NOISE FOR THE LADS.

“COME ON MOWDEN”