Match Report: Heath 33–47 Darlington Mowden Park

Darlington Mowden Park made it back-to-back wins with a hard-fought 47–33 victory away at Heath, running in seven tries and producing some clinical attacking rugby to withstand a spirited second-half fightback from the hosts.

Mowden arrived looking to build on their previous victory and, despite falling behind almost immediately, responded emphatically. Heath made the perfect start after an early penalty was kicked to the corner. Ben Stringer secured the lineout and, following the drive, Jake Haynes was released to score in the corner. Chris Johnson converted and the hosts led 7–0 after just two minutes.

It took Mowden until the tenth minute to get on the scoresheet, but a Heath mistake around halfway presented an opportunity. Mowden reacted quickly, kicking through from the turnover, and Mark Williams used his footballing skills to control the ball before touching down. Williams converted his own try to level matters at 7–7.

That score sparked Mowden into life and they began to take control. A strong carry from Josh Oppong from five metres out resulted in the next try, with Williams again adding the conversion to put Mowden 14–7 ahead.

The third try followed shortly afterwards. A trademark mazy run from Ben Douglas cut through the Heath defence before Charlie Turnbull powered over from close range. Williams converted once more and Mowden had suddenly opened up a 21–7 advantage.

Within a minute Mowden struck again. A lineout steal from Captain Craggs provided the platform for a blistering counter-attack, with Josh Oppong feeding the supporting Ben Douglas to finish the move. The bonus-point try made it 26–7 after 25 minutes.

Mowden were now in full flow and Heath had few answers other than trying to slow possession at the set piece. Some indiscipline and errors led to a scoreless and frustrating 10mins however, eventually another opportunity provided itself shortly before half-time. Mowden broke from their own half and Greenlaw bounced free before laying the ball on a plate for Liam Checksfield to score. Williams converted and Mowden headed into the interval with a commanding 33–7 lead.

Heath emerged from their half-time team talk with renewed purpose, Mowden’s team-talk focusing on their execution and cutting out the infringements which should see them run free to full time however the response from Heath was immediate. Another penalty was kicked to the corner and, after Stringer secured the lineout, Haynes crossed for his second try. Johnson’s conversion reduced the deficit to 33–14.

Mowden, though, continued to find ways through. Their fifth try arrived after further pressure had moved Heath around the field. From a five-metre penalty the lineout ball was driven with Harrison Wood emerging from the bodies with the ball, Williams converted to restore the cushion at 40–14.

The second half became increasingly stop-start, with penalties a constant feature as Mowden’s discipline began to let them down. Heath took full advantage, repeatedly kicking into attacking positions. Their pressure eventually told when Ben Stringer crossed for their third try, Johnson converting to make it 40–21.

Just as Heath threatened to build momentum, Mowden produced another clinical response. A further breakaway released the fleet footed Alfie Warwick who hot-stepped his way through the Heath defence, Williams’ conversion stretched the advantage to 47–21 with around ten minutes remaining.

Heath refused to go away and spent much of the closing stages camped inside the Mowden 22. With Mowden conceding a succession of penalties, Tom Stansfield eventually powered over for the hosts’ bonus-point fourth try, narrowing the score to 47–26.

The visitors’ indiscipline continued to give Heath opportunities and, with only seconds remaining, the home side broke from their own half. Tom Clough finished the move for Heath’s fifth try and Johnson converted to bring an entertaining contest to a close at 47–33.

It was a game in which Mowden’s attacking execution ultimately proved decisive. After conceding inside the opening two minutes, they responded with 33 unanswered points and had secured the try bonus point by the 25-minute mark. Heath deserve credit for their second-half response, but Mowden’s seven tries and ability to strike quickly when opportunities appeared had already created too much ground to recover.

The one major frustration for Mowden was their second-half discipline, with a succession of penalties allowing Heath to repeatedly establish attacking field position. That will provide an obvious area to address, but there was plenty to admire in an attacking display which produced seven tries away from home.

Full-time: Heath 33–47 Darlington Mowden Park

Mowden scorers: Tries — Mark Williams, Josh Oppong, Charlie Turnbull, Ben Douglas, Liam Checksfield, Harrison Wood, Alfie Warwick. Conversions — Mark Williams (6).

Man of the Match: Josh Oppong.