Mowden scrum half Ben DOUGLAS ran in 3 tries before oranges to lay the foundation for the 5-point win at the wind and rain swept ’The Avenue’ HQ of Wharfedale RFC.

Despite going down to 13-men after nine minutes, Mowden dug deep and despite an opening penalty try for the home side (7 – 0), managed to reply with 2 excellent tries via hooker Harrison WOOD (7 – 5) and then the first of Ben DOUGLAS’S trio (7 – 10), converted by fly half Flynn WARD (7 – 12).

Wharfedale restored the lead in a competitive first half, when full back Hodgson took them level (12 – 12), with fly half Haddon nudged them into the lead with the afters (14 – 12).
Ben DOUGLAS scored twice for Darlington Mowden Park before half time, both converted by Flynn Ward (14 – 24), taking the visitors into a decent lead at oranges.

From the re-start, Mowden initially started sluggishly and it was no surprise when the home forwards ground out another try (19 – 24), converted by Haddon adding the points (21 – 24).

Buoyed by their temporary ascendency, a classic catch and drive followed with replacement Collinson awarded the score (26 – 24), the conversion ably secured by Haddon (28 – 31) edging the visitors into a slender lead which they managed to hang on to as the minutes elapsed.

Darlington Mowden Park grabbed the lead back with another unconverted try by Harrison Wood and then clung on until the final whistle.
Special mention to debutant lock Max RILEY-FOX, who when after an end of game miscalculation as to full time saw Flynn WARD kick the ball dead within catch and drive range, managed to steal two crucial home lineouts, to ensure his side took the spoils.

Man of the Match - Harrison WOOD.