The opening exchanges proved to be quite scrappy with both sides making a series of errors, before the first bit of quality play saw Law drive forward in midfield and produce a quality off load to Brown. The ball was quicky moved to Drought who beat two defenders to score in the corner ( 5-0). Stockton hit back almost immediately though, securing a lineout from a penalty on the Mowden 5m line where they used their driving maul to great effect, with the Stockton Hooker touching down (5-5).

Mowden were starting to have some success on the flanks with Pascoe in particular showing off some powerful running skills that took the team up the field on several occasions, and it was the same player who added Mowdens second try when he powered his way through 3 or 4 defender to dot down under the posts . Brown converted (12-5)

However, Stockton struck back just on half time, to make it all square at the break (12-12)

AT half time, Coach Brown reminded the team of the word for the day – attitude. Could they show the right attitude to get over the gain line, to win the ruck, to make the tackle and secure us a tight contest?

His words clearly had the right effect as the lads stepped right up to the challenge. From the restart Hayward, displayed a technique similar to Ben Stokes on the boundary, snatching the ball out of mid air and set up a ruck. The pack waltzed up the field like a collective juggernaut and secured a penalty. The quick-thinking Brown, tapped and went, allowing Law to power over from close range. Brown converted (19-12)

From the resulting restart, this time it was Rogers who was on fire. Taking a high ball on his own 5 m line, he slalomed his way through the on rushing pack and outpaced the back line before finally being tackled on the opposition 22. Stockton secured the ball, but some great defence by Ward, Macdonald, and Stokell caused Stockton to infringe again. This time it was Myers who tapped and he was held up just short of the line, only for Law – who by now looked like he’d just done a few rounds with Tyson Fury, to pick up and go over for his second (24-12).

Stockton refused to give up though and came straight back into it when Mowden gave a way a penalty on their 22, which the Stockton centre quickly took himself and ghosted through to bring the scores closer again (24-17).

The best moment of the match came soon after however, with a real team try. 2nd phase ball was taken up by Wind, who split the defence in two with a striding run into the opposition half. The ball was fed down the line to Shepherd who took the ball forwards and drew the defender before feeding a perfect pass to Graham who went over in the corner. This was something the backs had been practising in the warm up, so Coach Law was more than pleased to see Alex and Matty execute it so well! (29-17)

Mowden added 2 more tries, both individual pieces of brilliance. Delaidriti pounced on a knock on, securing the bouncing ball to leave the Stockton defence in his wake as he ran one in from from 40 yards (36-17), before Nelson got in on the act, galloping home like a rampant gazelle from 60 yards (43-17). With the final play Stockton scored a deserved consolation try to bring the game to an end (43-24).

A great result in which every member of the team contributed, but perhaps more importantly where lots of players really stepped up and showed just what we can achieve when we are on point. Well done all.

Man of the Match – there were several contenders but Jensen Pascoe took the award this week. He was a constant threat out wide and made some massive hits in an aggressive and powerful display. Well done Jensen.