Darlington Mowden Park finished the National One season on a high with an entertaining victory over Bishop’s Stortford at the Darlington Arena. The game was Garry Law’s last in a Mowden shirt, having announced his retirement earlier in the week. The Scotsman marked his 105th and final game with a Man of the Match performance and a 19 point haul to end the season on a high. The game was a great advert for National One rugby, with both sides playing expansive rugby throughout.

The hosts started the brighter of the two sides and opened the scoring through Joe Craggs after 15 minutes. Stortford hit back through Dan Elsom, before Ben Frankland extended Mowden’s advantage on the half hour. Law converted both first half tries to give his side a 14-5 lead at the break.

A smart chip ahead from home full back Chris McTurk set up the next try, with man of the moment Garry Law collecting to score. Law converted to extend the hosts advantage, before two well worked tries from back rows Baxter Wilson and Sam Cappaert narrowed the gap to 2. Law added a penalty on the hour mark, followed shortly by the bonus point try from scrum half Maia Gibbs. Stortford replied with a fourth try of their own through replacement Harrison King, before a late Garry Law penalty sealed the 8 point victory.

A huge thank you to the Mowden Family for your phenomenal support throughout the season!