Previous visits to Dore Moor had seen dour weather conditions, with combinations of severe cross winds and driving rain the main talking point of any fixture between the two sides. However, Saturday’s clash was a complete contrast, with perfect conditions a pleasant change.

In a game of the proverbial ‘two halves’, the home side edged the game before half-time oranges with a 19 – 14 score in their favour.

But Mowden dug deep in the second half and had it not been for several squandered opportunities, which would have seen them out of sight, the final scoreline of 24 – 28 to the visitors, should have been far greater. However, that would, as it turned out, been unfair to Sheffield Tigers, who gave their all and were well worth their two bonus points.

It was the home side who opened the scoring, when burly hooker Crowe rumbled over from close range (5 – 0) after ten minutes. Ex-Mowden fly half Ireland, failed to add the extras. In what was a frustrating place kick game from him.

The visitors took little time to reply, when ‘try machine’ Simon UZOKWE replied, with a strong carry from a maul close to the home try-line (5 – 5). Ireland’s opposite number, Mowden’s Flynn WARD, in stark contrast, was successful, adding the conversion (5 – 7), with what would be the first of his 100% accurate place-kicking afternoon.

Two further tries from Sheffield Tigers looked ominous for Mowden, as it was the home side who took command of proceedings from then on, dominating possession and forward progress

First, home prop Bennett joined his front row colleague and prop Crowe when dotting down (10 – 7) on twenty-six minutes, converted by Ireland (12 –7). It looked as if Sheffield Tigers would run away with it, when shortly afterwards, hooker Crowe’s second try increased their lead (17 – 7) and with Ireland’s conversion (19 – 7) the gap looked capable of being significantly improved, which to be fair, was just reward for their efforts.

However, the tide turned just before the break, when Mowden’s hard-working flanker Jacob Butterill added vital points for the visitors when finishing off a penetrating team effort to score near the home posts (19 – 12). WARD’s easy extras (19 – 14) halted Sheffield’s overall dominance at this stage and as the interval arrived, this somewhat stifled their encouraging start and buoyed Mowden.

So it proved. As shortly after resumption of play, Mowden wing Shaun McCartney scorched over (19 – 19) to level and with another well struck conversion from WARD (19 – 21), the home side were behind for the first time in the game.

This seemed to have a negative effect on them, whereas in contrast, it galvanised the visitors, who methodically took over the game, taking it to Sheffield Tigers, who hardly visited the opposition half after that time.

Although in the ascendency, Mowden ‘butchered’ at least four opportunities to score, with a series of knock-ons with the try line in their sights, failed catch and drives and disrupted rolling mauls, which were more to do with mistakes then any opposition defence.

However, it was inevitable from their dominance, that Mowden would succeed in adding to their tally and so it proved, when elusive scrum-half Ben DOUGLAS out-thought the opposition with a quick tap penalty, eluding some wavering defence to score under the posts (19 – 26). WARD ‘s conversion was the easiest of his day, (19 – 28) as Mowden looked to close out the game.

It was perhaps fitting due to a decent first half performance, that Sheffield Tigers took an extra match point, when scoring their fourth try via winger Talbot (24 – 28), however the missed conversion was matterless, as the final whistle brought an end to proceedings and another five points to Mowden, which saw them leap-frog a losing Tynedale RFC into silver medal spot in National League 2 (North).

Early days yet, but as the current playing squad are beginning to gel considering such a short period of time of being together as a team, all augurs well for the league programme ahead.

MOTM - Jacob Oliver