Seniors 2nd Team Match Reports - 2007-8
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2nd XV Contacts:
Gus Miller
07976 586974
Andy Craggs
07816 530789
Kevin Robinson
07977 409324
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Saturday 15th March 2008
DMPRFC 2nds 20 v 7 Penrith 2nds
After the disappointment of defeat in a hard-fought cup semi-final, Mowden were anxious to get back in harness, and they did this with a creditable away win, against tough opposition.
In the reverse encounter, Mowden were stung into action by a prolonged early onslaught from their visitors, so were well aware of Penrith’s potential to start well, and get on top. For this reason, they were determined to be first out of the blocks in this game, and managed to catch the hosts cold.
A powerful run from left wing, Adam Gardner, took him into the visitors’ 22, and when the forwards stepped in to drive it on further, the same player was available to force the ball over the line from ten metres. Fly half, John Kelly, converted for an early 7 – 0 lead, and quickly added to this with a straightforward penalty, when the home side killed the ball for the first of what felt like hundreds of times.
Mowden showed no signs of easing the pressure on Penrith, and on the few occasions it was possible to secure quick ball, the backs caused all sorts of problems in the home defence. From one flowing move, Gardner again made ground towards the corner, before very intelligently stepping back in, and executing a slick switch move with full back Lee Ratcliff, who had just enough gas to get in at the flag for 15 – 0.
This looked like a winning lead, but to the home side’s credit, the visitors were not allowed to add to it in the remainder of the half, which became more frustrating, and less of a spectacle, the more it went on. Both sides’ failure to move away from the ball on the floor, and overly-lenient officiating prevented any usable ball for the backs, as the game stuttered to half time.
Unfortunately, the second half was much the same, but Penrith’s bigger pack did manage to make some headway at times, and their excellent number eight was able to touch down in the right corner, following a series of forward surges. A good conversion pulled the score back to 15 – 7, but strangely, the home side seemed to lose momentum at this point, allowing the visitors back into the game. Centre, James Park, followed a speculative kick into the host’s in-goal area, and may well have got the touch down ahead of the defender. The unsighted referee decided the best course of action was a 5-metre scrum restart, much to the displeasure of the home team, and when they conceded a penalty for dropping it, quick thinking by prop, Chris Stewart, allowed him to crash in at the corner, for a winning 20 – 7 lead.
Penrith’s hard-working pack continued to press for the remaining ten minutes, but there were no more real alarms for the Mowden defence, who deservedly closed-out another victory.
By kind permission of:
Lord Craggs.
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DMPRFC 2nds 27 v 34 Blaydon 2nds County Cup Semi-Final 01/03/08
Following two tight contests earlier in the season, the scene was set for another highly competitive game in this league and cup double-header, and so it turned out.
Blaydon, as usual, started well, and with the home backs perhaps guilty of not pressing quickly enough in defence, they were able to make an overlap, and open the scoring with a converted try. Mowden were temporarily rattled, and a harsh off-side decision allowed the visitors to increase their lead with a simple penalty, before the home side finally began to settle.
A powerful run to the try line by Adam Howard sparked the comeback, and Richie McNair’s conversion had the hosts right back in it at 10 – 7. Blaydon’s backs, whilst fluent enough in attack, were uncharacteristically fragile in defence, and first to benefit from this was Mowden skipper Simon Jennions, who ran straight through the middle to put his side into the lead. McNair’s second successful kick extended this to four points, but it was frustratingly short-lived, as a poor home scrummage allowed the visitors’ No. 8 to crash in under the posts for another converted try, soon followed by a penalty, and the away team led 20 – 14 at the break.
Mowden started the second half brightly, and a McNair penalty reduced the Blaydon lead to three points, but this was to be as close as they got to overhauling their visitors, who seemed to tighten things up after conceding this score. The home pack was under increasing pressure at the set-piece, and struggled throughout the second half to secure enough ball to trouble the still-shaky Blaydon midfield. Shaky they may have been in defence, but the visitors still looked threatening in attack, and a missed tackle in the home backs led to a converted try, and a 27 – 17 lead. This soon became insurmountable, as the inside centre looped round the right winger to score in the corner, and fly-half, Windle, landed a superb conversion from the touchline.
It was testament to Mowden’s current team spirit that they refused to give in when faced with a 17-point deficit, and a strong run from Jennions saw him go through the final tackle for his second try of the game. Incredibly, there was still time for another; Jennions once again breaking through the Blaydon midfield, this time passing to flanker Tim Wilks, who ran under the posts to pull the score back to 34 – 27. Unfortunately for the home side, Jennions’ hurried drop-kick conversion against the crossbar was the last kick of the game, ending any thoughts of a fairy-tale comeback.
Mowden played well against very strong opponents, but could have no complaints about the final score, as Blaydon probably just about shaded a close game. It was only a pity that this wasn’t the final, which surely won’t be as good a contest, whoever they meet. The result means that Mowden 2nds will almost certainly end the season without silverware, but this certainly isn’t due to any lack of skill or effort, and everyone connected with the club can be very proud of the way the boys have represented them thus far.
By kind permission of :
Mr. A. Craggs
Racconteur, Lageronteur and Bermudashortonteur.
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Saturday 23rd February 2008
DMPRFC 2ND XV 13
Westoe RFC 2ND XV 10
A much-changed Mowden team took to the field against last week’s defeated cup second round opponents, expecting a tougher game this time.
They were not mistaken, as the visitors, bolstered by a large first team contingent, took the game to the home side in the early exchanges, eventually forcing their way over on the wide left, after five minutes of extreme pressure. The difficult conversion was missed, but with the hosts enjoying the advantage of a fairly strong breeze, the alarm bells were already starting to ring, as a significant lead would surely be needed to take into the second half.
Gradually, the Mowden forwards began to get more into the game and as home confidence began to grow, that of the visitors appeared to ebb away, so that when Chris Dodd stormed through the Westoe midfield for a great solo try mid way through the half, it was really no surprise. John Kelly landed the simple conversion, but was absent when a penalty was awarded close to the visitors’ posts soon after, having been felled by a strong hand-off from Mowden old-boy Fitzy, playing in the opponents’ centre. Fortunately, fit-again fullback Richie McNair was on hand to land the points, and half-time came with the home side holding a seemingly flimsy 10 – 5 lead.
The mood in the home camp was extremely up-beat at the break, however, and they showed their resolve by repeatedly pressing Westoe backwards, often being only the tiniest of margins away from scoring tries and defending resolutely whenever the visitors did threaten. The only tangible reward for the home side’s endeavour was a well-struck penalty by McNair, but the pressure exerted prevented any meaningful opportunities for the increasingly desperate away side, so the score stood at 13 – 5 for the majority of the second period.
Even when forced to make further changes, Mowden’s new personnel performed every bit as well as the men they replaced and Westoe had to wait until the last play of the game to finally force the ball over the home line at the end of a powerful driving maul. A missed conversion left the score at 13 – 10, but there was no time for home nerves or visitors’ hope, as the referee blew for full-time without restarting the game.
This was a tremendous, spirited performance, helped by a great contribution from the lads who came in at the last minute, and bodes well for our cup semi-final encounter with Blaydon next week.
A. Craggs.
2ND XV Co-Manager
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SATURDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2008
DMPRFC 14 v MIDDLESBROUGH RFC 8
In a tough, hard fought contest and whilst not playing anywhere near their best, DMPRFC 2nd XV came away from Green Lane with the points and on balance, deserved the win.
Middlesbrough RFC have had their fair share of problems in relation to player defections and have never been able to field a settled side. However, the presence of first teamers Martin Howe and Peter Wright in their side, both returning after injury, appeared to galvanise the resolve of the team, who to be fair probably played as well as they have all season.
For our part, we took an eternity to look interested and for the majority of the game certain players, who should know better, might as well have been off shopping with their respective partners or sitting in front of the fire at home knitting some nice booties, rather than being on a rugby field.
After the initial shock of the presence of a female referee, who requested to be called 'Sir', we took the lead midway through the first half, admittedly against the run of play, where after good work by the returning Jamie Connolly and Shaun Buckley, second row forward Darren Thompson bullocked his way over the line. The try was converted easily by Ben Snook.
Middlesbrough responded with a deserved try prior to the break, but missed the conversion, leaving the score at 7-5 in our favour at the interval.
There were some harsh words delivered in expletive tones by the coaching staff, but still some of the players were observed to be 'not at the races'.
Therefore, it was no surprise when Middlesbrough took the lead with an easy penalty in front of the posts, for a somewhat dubious infringement, one of many which seemed to litter the game throughout.
So, now it seemed that the lights were switching on in our players, who then decided that we were playing rugby, on a Saturday, with their mates, like they always do! They decided that Middlesbrough were not going to win this encounter and put up the collective rear guard action that they were always capable of mounting.
Some strong running in the midfield by the forwards, led to a score from close range by tight head prop Adam Howard, which was again converted by Snook, putting DMPRFC back in the lead, 14-8, which is where the score remained.
A late rally by Middlesbrough, after the unecessary sin-binning of lock forward Chris Dodd for retaliation, was repelled by good, solid defence from the whole team, who were all awake now, only to hear the final whisltle by the referee.
A result, yes, but we will have to play a lot better in our next game in the cup at home against Westoe on Saturday week, if we want to enjoy continued success.
K.R.
Hon. Sec.
DMPRFC.
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Saturday 26th January 2008
DMP 72
Sunderland 0
After a successful return to action in the Durham County Cup last week, Mowden hosted Sunderland RFC in their first UBS Candy league fixture of 2008. Having lost several players from the previous week’s squad due to 1st call ups Mowden welcomed debutant fly half John Kelly into the team. There was also a welcomed return to action for Darren Thompson and young colt James Parks who made starts at second row and outside centre. With news coming from Sunderland that the Wearside team had strengthened there squad with several 1st team players motivation to perform was high within Mowden’s ranks. A hard contest was expected up front, which made the old rugby adage of ‘the forwards win matches, the backs decide by how many’ rang true. This was evident within the first minutes of the match as Chris Dodds carried the ball from the Mowden 10m line to inside the opposition 22m line, offloading to hooker Shaun Buckley who powered past several defenders before falling short of the try line. Supporting forwards produced quick ball and allowed James Parks to score the first try of the game, his backline partner Kelly added the conversion for a 7 – 0 lead.
Within several minutes of the restart Dodds again made another one of his ‘crazy horse’ breaks taking the ball from a lose Sunderland lineout and offloading to the wingman Alan Jones who sent a wide pass to Parks in support to score, Kelly again added the conversion.
Following a period of opposition possession, mainly through the driven lineout, the Sunderland side kicked loosely to the Mowden back line. This allowed Alan Jones the opportunity to field the ball and run from his own 22 to the opposition 22 beating several defending players in the process. Jones with his new beefed up ‘Christmas physique’ successfully stayed strong on his feet in contact offloading to Parks, who feed open side flanker Andrew Tonkin where a quick pass allowed Irishman Alan Daly to crash over to score. The following attempt at goal drifted wide.
Sunderland restarted following this score and again made positive progress into the Mowden half; however defensive pressure from the home side forced a kick to touch. The following lineout on the Mowden 10m line was taken by Darren Thompson and driven powerfully by the forward pack rumbling up the pitch into the opponents 22m area. Thereafter, journey man Andrew Tonkin and his fellow forwards Del Russell and Adam Howard split from the maul driving punching towards the whitewash resulting in the dynamic prop Howard scoring. The following conversion attempt fell short of the goal.
Sunderland found themselves with several phases of positive possession after the restart. Good defensive work by the half back Ratcliff at a scrum forced the visitors to turn the ball over allowing the home teams backs to perform swift handling, moving the ball to Parks who sidestepped and weaved to score an impressive third try. Kelly added the conversion.
Within swift succession of this try Parks added his fourth, fifth and sixth scores with Kelly adding 1 out of the 3 conversions. The home team was know playing rugby containing continuity, power and pace that was worthy of their counterparts who occupy the turf on a more regular basis. However, this free scoring led to several mistakes and over ambition within the Mowden team. Young fly half Kelly helped to turn this around by keeping his composure to set up the final score of the half. Kelly executed a long clearance kick into the wind resulting in a Sunderland lineout in side their own half. Mowden stole the lineout through lock Thompson and the home pack took advantage of their well formed maul as they drove the ball forward, dragged in the Sunderland defence and created space for winger Jones to score easily in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful and the halftime score was 48 – 0 to the home team.
Unfortunately for Sunderland, there was to be no let up in the pressure that they experienced in the first half when play recommenced. Choice words from prop Ian Keeligan and captain Jennions saw the Mowden team cut out the errors seen in the 1st half and led to more structured attacking play in the second period. Radcliffe and Kelly controlled the pack well and several phases of pick and goes and driving forward play saw clean ball being delivered to the versatile full back Andrew Wilson. Wilson fed Tonkin who dually ran offloading to Radcliffe. The scrum half saw the whitewash and undertook his customary ignorance of the easy scoring pass and chose the route of glory in driving to the line. Like many other times this season he was unsuccessful and the ball was recycled well by the pack to allow Russel to score the first try of the second period. The conversion was narrowly missed by Kelly.
Following this the Sunderland team came into the game and performed well for a period of 10 - 15 minutes. The visiting pack took solace in their powerful scrummage and applied pressure to the Mowden line. However the pressure forced on the Mowden side saw the home sides front 5 step up and scrummage hard to hold out the Wearsiders and the ball to be turned over. Winger Jones took advantage making a large break down the middle of the field feeding Tonkin who finished of the move to score a try that was well deserved for his tireless support running. Kelly stroked the ball over to convert.
The restart resulted in Mowden applying defensive pressure and the ball being kicked to replacement and newly selected U21 county college centre Adam Gardener. The centre made a swift break downfield where lose ball from an attempted offload was snapped by Chris Dodds nearly as quick as he later collected his Mixed Grill in the meat draw in the club after the game! Dodds carried the ball forwards and gave well timed pass to send Parks in for a try taking his personal tally up to 6 for the game. The conversion attempt by Gardener was sadly missed. The restart saw good play from the home side with another lineout being stolen and driven in a familiar fashion. This led to good footwork and running lines from the captain Jennions at inside centre allowing Gardner to receive the ball in space attacking and penetrating into the opposition half. Gardener offloaded to Parks for his 7th try. Park’s try saw the end of the game and many happy faces for the home team and crowd. The final result of 72 – 0 did not highlight the efforts of the Sunderland team who worked hard throughout.
James Parks was awarded Man of the Match award for his excellent try scoring performance. One which we all hope he continues to produce as he grows into men’s rugby at the club. Although by the look of betrayal on your fathers (Billy) face when you asked him for a sub for the 2 hat trick jugs of Lager that were due…it might be wise to pass a bit more next week James! Credit must also go out to the whole Mowden side that played a high standard of rugby throughout however special mention must go to Dodds, Tonkin, Howard, Jones and Kelly for excellent performances alongside James Parks.
Saturday 19 January 2008
Durham County Seconds' Cup, 1st Round
DMP 52
Durham City 0
On a very heavy pitch, Mowden started well, and soon scored a long range try through fullback Simon Jennions, who ran 60 metres to the left corner, following some impressive handling in the home backs. Fly half Ben Snook converted for an early 7 – 0 lead, which was extended five minutes later by centre, James Clark, who supported well to finish off a fine break from Snook.
City competed well in the tight exchanges, but the home side enjoyed almost total dominance of the wide open spaces outside of these, and it was no surprise when winger Alan Jones was able to get away, again down the left, and slip a pass to Jennions for his second try of the game.
At 17 – 0, the game was effectively over as a contest, with over two thirds of the allotted time remaining, and despite carelessly wasting one or two further opportunities, there was to be a further try before the break; this time Adam Gardner benefiting from his colleagues’ fine handling, with a run-in to the right corner. Snook’s conversion from wide-out completed the first half scoring, with Mowden ahead 24 – 0.
Coach Kev Robinson used the break to ensure there would be no repeat of first half wastefulness, and as a result, a more businesslike home side emerged for the second period, eventually scoring a further four tries, all converted, to ensure an emphatic victory.
City, showing plenty of defensive grit, managed to hold out for fifteen minutes, until the relentless pressure told, and Clark was able to exploit a gap under the sticks for his second try, and a 31 – 0 lead. Shortly afterwards, fit-again hooker Sean Buckley put the gloss on a fine individual performance by crashing through the visitors’ right winger for a try near the posts, and 38 – 0 quickly became 45 – 0, when quick hands from scrum half Lee Ratcliff allowed prop Ian Keeligan a five metre run to the line.
On the stroke of full time, a great move saw Mowden turn defence into attack, as virtually everyone was involved in a 90 metre sortie that resulted in Clark claiming a deserved hat-trick, and Snook’s last-kick conversion took the final score to 52 – 0.
This was a creditable performance against a strong visiting pack who competed gamely throughout, despite being clearly out-gunned in the backs, and we can afford to take a degree of confidence into the next round.
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Saturday 8 December 2007
Darlington 12
DMP 6
In a game played out in atrocious weather conditions, both sides acquitted themselves pretty well in an entertaining contest that could have gone either way.
Having said that, Darlington, fielding a particularly strong side for this fixture, did enjoy the lion’s share of possession, and so probably deserved to emerge victorious.
Some of the visitors’ play was less accomplished than at times this season, particularly in terms of tactical kicking, but a lot of that could be put down to the elements, and there was certainly no lack of endeavour.
Darlington managed to gain the upper hand in the early exchanges, as Mowden continued the worrying trend of late, with a somewhat sluggish start, and capitalised when a good kick to the corner trapped the away team in their own 22, and powerful driving play from the home forwards was finished off by centre Glendenning, near the posts. He successfully converted his own try, and the hosts led 7 – 0.
To Mowden’s credit, the score did spur them into some sort of response, and scrum half Lee Ratcliff, was perhaps unlucky to be deprived of a try, when Andrew Tonkin was adjudged to have knocked-on in forcing the ball over the Darlington line. This, however, was a brief sortie, and the home side maintained the upper hand to preserve their lead until half-time.
The visitors’ improved performance at the beginning of the second half threatened a turnaround, and this feeling was encouraged by two converted penalties from fly half, Ben Snook, the second an impressive 45-metre effort, which pulled the score back to 7 – 6.
If this meant there was all to play for, then it seemed to have more of a positive effect on the home side, and their pack gradually turned the screw, pressing the visitors into their own 22 for much of the rest of the game, despite the best efforts of No.8, Alan Daly, who had a superb game in a lost cause.
With about ten minutes of normal time remaining, a series of forward drives by the home pack resulted in a messy score in the left corner, and any hope of a late comeback was effectively ruled out by the sin-binning of flanker, Chris Dodd, for disputing the validity of the try.
Still, both sides battled on gamely, with new Mowden acquisition, Adam Howard, prominent in the loose, but with no further chances, the first derby of the year went deservedly to the home team.
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Saturday 24 November 2007
DMP 10
Blaydon 26
In their third consecutive home fixture, the hosts were always likely to struggle against a strong Blaydon side, and the final score probably reflected the balance of try scoring opportunities in the game. No way, however, did it reflect the enormous effort put in by a somewhat depleted Mowden pack, and if the margin was apparently comfortable, it was entirely due to some magic from a very strong Blaydon backs division.
Mowden’s own three-quarter line was unrecognisable, and whilst individuals broadly did their jobs, lack of organisation and alignment was cruelly exposed by the visitors, who scored from long range after five minutes, having manufactured an overlap for former Mowden player Jimmy Hamer on the right wing. Only brave scrambling defence stemmed the tide, as Blaydon looked dangerous every time they got the ball wide, and it was perhaps a surprise that the score remained at 5 – 0 approaching the break. If the home side could have held out to the interval, maybe things would have turned out differently, but as it was, two further converted tries, the second a superb effort involving the entire visiting team, took the half time score to 19 – 0, and appeared to put the home side entirely out of the game.
As it was, a spirited start to the second half by the Mowden pack resulted in a ten minute goal-line siege, during which the visitors regularly killed the ball, and were perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty try. This was rendered irrelevant, however, when quick-thinking scrum half Lee Ratcliff went in for his third try in three games, and pulled the score back to 19 – 5.
Constant pressure from the home pack, who by now were giving their bigger, more experienced opponents a torrid time, looked likely to be further rewarded, but then a defensive lapse allowed the visitors’ second row forward to run in from forty metres, as the home defence each left the crucial tackle to one another. The conversion finally put the game out of site at 26 – 5, but the home pack were far from disheartened, and resumed a stranglehold on their Blaydon counterparts for the remainder of the game. One of the many substitutes, 18 year old Tom Errington, in his first spell in the senior sides, capped a superb ten minute cameo with a great driving try from eight metres out, ably supported by the rest of the pack, in which Tonkin and Farnan again shone.
This proved to be the last meaningful action of a very competitive and interesting game, in which even more progress was made by the young home side, who are improving every week.
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Saturday 17 November 2007
DMP 61
Penrith 16
After last week’s slow start, there was a degree of déjà vu about the game for the first half hour, although credit must be given to a great effort by the visiting pack during this period.
Try as they might, Mowden could establish no sort of control, and when they were unlucky enough to concede a try following the most outrageous unseen knock-on, they seemed positively rattled.
A high tackle in midfield allowed Penrith to extend the lead to 8 – 0, and when a quickly taken penalty resulted in an overlap, and a try for the visitors’ very impressive veteran fullback, the home side were in real trouble at 13 – 0.
There were signs of the big Mowden pack beginning to get on top in the tight exchanges after the mid-point of the half, and this finally told when a rapid drive to the line was pulled down less than a yard short by a visiting flanker. The referee duly awarded the penalty try and sin-binned the miscreant, but an unbelievable missed conversion kept the margin greater than a score, at 13 – 5.
When Penrith went straight down the field from the restart, and extended their lead with a penalty for hands in the ruck, no-one would have believed that the home side would hold the lead by half-time, but incredibly, that’s what happened.
First, Richard McNair, playing his comeback game following a serious hand injury, struck with a simple penalty for 16 – 8, before a stunning solo try by returning open-side, Andrew Tonkin, pulled it back to 16 – 13.
This flurry of attacking action was followed by a further period of sustained pressure from backs and forwards, culminating in pack leader Ian Keeligan crashing over at the foot of the posts for a great team try. McNair’s conversion was the last kick of the half, which ended 20 – 16 to the hosts. Despite their valiant efforts in establishing their early lead, Penrith appeared shell-shocked, and they looked a beaten side when Mowden scored a peach of a try on the restart.
Superb support running by the backs saw Richard Park go very close to a first senior try, before unselfishly feeding his centre partner John Dye for a try near the posts. McNair again converted, and within minutes he was being called upon again, as a piece of quick thinking by scrum half Lee Ratcliff put the highly energetic lock forward Ray Farnan in for a try. 32 – 16 became 39 – 16 a few minutes later, as a characteristic break by Tonkin was passed on by fit-again winger Dean Ingham, to a supporting Ratcliff, who went in under the sticks.
This signalled the end on any effective resistance by the brave visitors, and they were disappointed to gift the home side two tries, by way of mix-ups in the line-out. First beneficiary was No.8, Alan Daly, who caught an overthrown front ball in the middle of the line to dive in for the easiest try he’ll ever score, and next it was the turn of debutant second row, Joe Mercer, who caught an overthrown back ball, with the same result.
In between was arguably the best team try of the game, when superb handling through several phases, involving virtually everyone, resulted in a scoring pass for Matt Morfoot on the wide left, who made no mistake from fifteen metres.
54 – 16 was an unfair reflection on Penrith’s overall efforts in the game, but spoke volumes of Mowden’s apparently new-found ruthless streak, and unfortunately for the visitors, it got worse before the final whistle, when fly half Adam Gardner, having easily his best senior game at No.10, dummied his way in for a cheekily impressive try, converted by John Dye.
With several players returning from injury or elsewhere, and three impressive debut performances from forwards Calum Chesterman, Alex Mackenzie and Joe Mercer, competition for places continues to intensify, as does the pressure on the first team.
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Saturday 10 November 2007
DMP 39
Morpeth 24
After no fewer than four consecutive away games, Mowden relished the idea of a home fixture, and appeared more than ready in the build up to the match. Once it got underway, however, a series of uncharacteristic errors and bad decisions undermined the preparation, and gave the visitors an immediate foothold in the game.
From the kick-off, the ball was recycled efficiently enough, but a terrible pass in the backs division led the ball to being killed, and the visitors’ kicker slotted over the simple penalty chance for a 3 – 0 lead. Mowden stormed back downfield in an effort to make amends, but another shocking passage of poor ball-handling in the home ranks gifted it to Morpeth, who made no mistake, scoring a simple touchdown at the foot of the right post. The extras made it 10 – 0, and the home side suddenly realised they were in a serious contest.
This time, the response was much more clinical, with Luke Monument prominent in a series of driving mauls which ended only when he carried the ball over the line, and scrum half Lee Ratcliff touched down for a try on the wide right. 10 – 5 very quickly became 10-all, when a carbon copy drive was halted temporarily by the away side’s defence, only for the ball to be spun a little wider to fly half Adam Gardner, who was able to use a dummy, and some good strength, to go in.
The pattern of driving play established during this period continued up to half time, and just before the break, another huge effort resulted in the pack going over the line for a score by Chris Dodd, complemented by a great touchline conversion from centre Craig Slaughter.
With only a 7-point lead at the interval, the home side still had it all to do in the second half, and they immediately took the game to Morpeth, this time adding some good backs' play to their repertoire. Left wing Alun Jones was the first to benefit from the new tactic, when he managed to force his way over near the posts to give the hosts some breathing space at 22 – 10. Straight away, the gap was widened to 17 points, when Gardner did well to spot a gap in a badly-overstretched defence, and force his way in for his second try of the game. There was no fear of the visitors capitulating, however, and within five minutes, a missed tackle allowed their big centre to go in under the posts for a converted try, and peg the lead back to ten, at 27 – 17.
As both sides continued to play expansive rugby, and make regular substitutions, the game became a very entertaining, end-to-end affair. Replacement second row Dom McAlorum made an immediate impact, finishing off a tremendous drive from a line-out, to record his first senior try and extend the lead to 32 – 17.
Once again, the brave Morpeth side reduced the arrears, when a tackle was finally missed after a five minute goal line stand by the home defence, and a back row forward stormed in for a try. The conversion had the gap down to eight points, but any possible last minute nerves were settled when some good handling from the home backs gave Gardner the opportunity to put in hooker Richard Littlefair for a try, in a somewhat unaccustomed position on the left wing. Another touchline conversion from Slaughter concluded the scoring, with Mowden deserved winners by 39 points to 24, though Morpeth must take credit for a solid, spirited performance throughout.
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Saturday 3 November 2007
Tynedale 14
DMP 7
Mowden travelled to the home of the league leaders with something of a depleted squad, but as a result of some extremely spirited play, returned very unlucky not to have achieved at least a share of the spoils.
The game started brightly, with both teams eager to play attacking rugby. There was nothing between them for the first twenty minutes, though the visitors did manage to force a couple of kickable penalties, which unfortunately failed to find the target.
They were a little tentative in defence at times, however, and this encouraged the home side to spread things a bit wider. The new tactic paid dividends almost immediately, when, after a series of backs’ running moves, the away side eventually ran out of cover, and the hosts’ fly half was able to dummy his way under the posts from twenty metres. The conversion was a formality, and at 7 – 0 to the good, Tynedale already looked likely to hang on to their unbeaten record.
This impression was greatly strengthened just before half time, when a quick-thinking forward elected to run a very kickable penalty near the visitors’ posts, and was rewarded with a try, to put his side 14 – 0 up at the break, following another simple conversion.
With the enforced changes, particularly in the front row, where colt Tom Errington and young Canadian Rory McKeown did particularly well, a 14 – 0 half time deficit was far from discouraging, and after a rousing team talk from skipper Del Russell, Mowden started the second period as if they really believed they could cause an upset.
Tynedale were pushed back and battered by the visiting pack for almost the entire second half, though sterling defence from the home side prevented an early score. Nonetheless, Mowden’s perseverance paid off, as they finally managed to create an overlap on the right wing, and slick handling from Adam Gardner put Stu Findlay in for a try in the corner. Snook’s touchline conversion brought the visitors to within a score, and alarm bells began to ring in the Tynedale defence.
With about ten minutes to go, it looked as if the away team had pulled off the most unlikely of comebacks, when a superb driving maul was taken right up to the home line, and Dom McAlorum dived over for what at first seemed to be a try. Unfortunately for Dom, and the rest of the Mowden side, the ball was rightly adjudged to be held up, and they had to settle for a five metre scrum. Tynedale managed to win this against the head to allow the fly half to clear their lines, and the visitors’ chance of a well-deserved draw was gone, though they continued to plug away until the final whistle.
It is a measure of the spirit within the Mowden ranks that they played as well as they did with a depleted side, yet were still desperately disappointed to lose. On this showing, it won’t happen very often.
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Saturday 27 October 2007
West Hartlepool 10
DMP 23
Another tough away game for the second team, as they travelled to old adversaries West Hartlepool for an encounter played in very windy conditions throughout.
Whilst the wind didn’t completely spoil the match, it did ensure that it would be a ‘game of two halves’, and that whoever dealt best with defending against it would probably win.
The visitors had first use of the elements, and though West started brightly, they were unable to make headway against both the wind and a determined Mowden defence, who gradually exerted control. A series of driving mauls and second phase possessions resulted in the home side being forced to kill the ball, and Craig Slaughter slotted the resultant penalty to give the away team a 3- 0 lead. The pattern continued, and within a few minutes, a similar penalty was conceded. This time, the visitors elected to kick for the corner, and a good catch and drive from the line-out culminated in impressive lock forward Naude Pretorius feeding scrum half Lee Ratcliff for a try in the corner. A missed conversion kept the score to 8 – 0, but almost immediately, Martin Featherstone burst through the middle to feed Simon Jennions, who broke a tackle on his way to the line, stretching the lead to 13 – 0.
With half time approaching, and the strength of the wind to consider, it was important that Mowden scored again before the break, and they managed this via a quickly taken tap penalty. Good recycling at second and third phase allowed the ball to be moved wide to speedy winger Stu Findlay, who made no mistake with an expert finish in the corner. Again there were no extras from the conversion, so half time arrived with the visitors leading 18 – 0.
As expected, West made immediate use of the wind, pinning the visitors back in their own half and monopolising possession. A five-phase movement resulted in the home winger receiving enough space to go outside the visitors’ cover defence, and put his side back in contention at 18 – 5. This score was followed by another driving move towards the Mowden line, but unfortunately for the hosts, one of their props fell awkwardly, breaking and dislocating an ankle, whilst within site of the line.
The inevitable twenty minute delay seemed to rob West of some of their momentum, and even when they did manage to attack, the visitors’ defence was now equal to it. Indeed, a turn-over of West attacking ball allowed the away team to break out, with some eye-catching interplay between backs and forwards leading to an overlap, which Slaughter exploited for yet another unconverted Mowden try.
With only five minutes left, and a lead of 23 – 5, the visitors were never going to lose, but there was still time for a brave West team to mount another attack from deep, and score the final points of the game with a try in the corner. This was after another appalling piece of bad luck for the home side, who lost their influential No 8 to a badly twisted knee.
Following the somewhat unlucky loss away to Blaydon last week, this was just the tonic the side needed, and it sets us up nicely for next week’s game away to table-topping Tynedale.
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Saturday 20 October 2007
Blaydon 19
DMP 10
Mowden’s day at Blaydon got off to an inauspicious start, when the normally effective defence was breached in the softest of ways, with the home left winger dancing down the touchline for a try which could have been prevented simply by pushing him into touch. With a good conversion added, the visitors trailed 7 – 0, and this remained the situation for most of the rest of the half, though the away side did well to contain the hosts for the duration of John Dye’s extremely harsh sin-binning, particularly as he was playing out of position in an already weakened backs division. Both sides had half-chances, but neither managed to exert any sustained pressure on their opponents until the last five minutes, when a determined drive by the Mowden forwards was rewarded with a simple penalty for handling in the ruck, and Ben Snook converted to pull the score back to 7 – 3 at the break.
Mowden’s period of pressure continued into the second half, and the Blaydon line was under siege for most of the first ten minutes, without anyone getting over. Finally, though, the ball was moved a little wider, and Lawrence Oliver was able to find enough space to go under the posts for a try, converted by Snook, and the visitors suddenly had the lead at 10 – 7. Whilst they were unquestionably good value for their advantage at this stage, Mowden were beginning pick up a few knocks, and some of the enforced substitutions appeared to disrupt the balance of the team. Thus it was obvious that the next score would be crucial, and when it came, it was via the speedy Blaydon left winger, who was a handful all day, and may well have been the difference between the two sides.
Unfortunately for the visitors, the move leading up to the try also saw replacement No.8 Alan Daly sin-binned, again for hands in the ruck, and any real chance of a comeback diminished as he departed.
To their credit, however, the away side continued to battle away bravely, and it was this commitment to attack that saw them short-handed in defence in the last few minutes of the game, when the hosts were able to seal the victory with a well-worked try on the right. The conversion was the last meaningful kick of the game, and Blaydon finished as deserved 19 – 10 winners.
For Mowden, there was certainly no disgrace in defeat, however, and the overall feeling so far this season continues to be one of progress.
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13 October 2007
Durham City 14
DMP 24
Another much-changed, young side was on show this week, due to many regulars getting their chance in the first team, and a predictably scrappy game was the result. Once again, though, no shortage of effort, and a hard-fought away win was just reward for some very good play between the scrappy bits.
Mowden took time to settle as a consequence of the personnel changes, but opened their account in fine style, when slick handling allowed speedy centre, Lawrence Oliver, to run around his opposite number for a try under the posts. Somehow, Adam Gardner contrived to miss the conversion, but he wasn’t alone, as a similarly wayward attempt by Simon Jennions followed second row Ray Farnan’s breakaway try from the twenty-two a couple of minutes later. With ten minutes of the half remaining, big open-side, Chris Dodd, appeared as the extra man in the centre to score a great try, and obviously no longer trusting his colleagues in the backs to do the honours, converted his own score for a 17 – 0 lead just short of half time.
This seemed to inspire the home side to greater efforts, and they were rewarded when a period of pressure led to them finding an extra man in the line, resulting in a try in the corner. A superb touchline conversion completed the first half action, with the home side trailing 17 – 7.
From the restart, the visitors seemed to have regained the upper hand, and they were again pressing through midfield when one of the Durham centres was very unfortunate to break an ankle in a totally innocuous challenge.
A twenty minute delay was necessary whilst Ivan Whitfield, Mowden’s physio, and the paramedics sorted out the injury, and some of the life seemed to have drained from the game on the resumption.
If anything, the home side rallied better than Mowden, and it was no real surprise when they were able to exploit some poor defence in the visitors’ backs division to score another try in the corner. This one was on the opposite wing from the first, but the host’s kicker proved he was equally adept from either side, landing another great kick to make it a three point game at 17 – 14.
It was important that the young visitors reacted to the set-back, and this they did in fine style, as another great break from Oliver was followed up by Jennions, who was able to evade the last tackle to crash in for the decisive bonus-point score. Buoyed by his earlier effort, Dodd again attempted the conversion, and was just about successful, albeit via the crossbar.
With the score now at 24 – 14, and the visitors improving, it looked like we might be in for an interesting final twenty minutes, but it wasn’t to be, as the referee suffered a sudden hamstring injury, and was unable to restart the game after the Mowden conversion. Fortunately, 63 minutes had elapsed at this point, so the result stands, and the away side can be reasonably happy with another decent league victory.
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6 October 2007
DMP 10
Middlesbrough 3
Mowden’s second home league game of the season brought them a decent win over a powerful and well-drilled Middlesbrough side, without ever really getting above third gear.
For the second week running, there were plenty of positives, particularly in the number of colts and new players getting debuts, but also a feeling that things just aren’t quite clicking in some key areas. What is not in doubt, however, is the endeavour of the individual players, or the strength in depth that is beginning to appear, as a total of twenty five players were involved on Saturday, all contributing something to the game.
Playing with the sun at their backs, the home side dominated possession from the outset, but the reshuffled backs never had quite the cutting edge displayed in some of our previous performances, and it quickly became apparent that this was likely to be a low scoring game. So it proved, and Mowden were indebted to fit-again prop Ian Keeligan for the only score of the first half, as he crashed over near the posts following a period of extreme pressure on the ‘boro line. Centre Craig Slaughter added the extras, for a 7 – 0 half time lead.
Half time saw a multitude of substitutions, and though this was undoubtedly good for the overall development of the team, it did nothing for continuity, and the second half was, if anything, scrappier than the first.
The home side did continue to press, however, and whilst a couple of clear-cut try scoring opportunities were squandered, a ‘boro indiscretion allowed Slaughter to add to the lead with a straightforward penalty.
A 10 – 0 deficit was always going to be too much for the visitors to make up, and whilst they stuck manfully to the task, they had only a single penalty goal to show for their efforts at full time.
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29 September 2007
Westoe 11
DMP 20
Mowden were keen to get back to winning ways following last week’s reverse against Tynedale, and started determinedly enough against a committed Westoe side. The early exchanges indicated that the visitors might have the edge creativity-wise, but the home side’s willingness to scrap for everything made it difficult to secure enough ball to press home this advantage. Ben Snook made most of the running from fly half, and when he combined with centres Gareth Kerr and James Clark following a line-break, the latter had no trouble outpacing the hosts’ defence to score under the posts. Snook added the simple conversion for a 7 – 0 lead.
For some reason, Mowden seemed to take their collective foot off the pedal at this point, and the home side were allowed back into the game. Consecutive penalties for handling on the floor and not retreating ten metres were each converted to pull the score back to 7 – 6, though a Snook penalty on the stroke of half time allowed the visitors to take a 10 – 6 lead into the interval.
After half time Snook retired, clearly feeling the after-effects of a late, high tackle suffered during the first half, allowing Adam Gardner to step into number ten from fullback. Gardner did nothing wrong in his new position, but the overall effect of the change seemed to unsettle the visitors, and Westoe’s powerful outside centre was able to storm through the Mowden midfield for an unconverted try, to give the home side the lead at 11 – 10.
Despite some committed end-to-end rugby, neither side was able to add to their score in the next 25 minutes or so, though the away side’s speedsters occasionally looked capable of getting away, only for a final pass to go astray. The pressure did tell eventually, however, as a Westoe forward was forced to hang onto the ball on the ground, allowing Gardner to restore the Mowden lead with a straightforward penalty.
This score signalled the end of the home side’s committed resistance, and a powerful drive by substitute Chris Dodd allowed the impressive Ciaran McNicholas to dive in for the game-clinching try. Gardner put the icing on the cake with a superb conversion from the touchline, and Mowden finished on top by 20 points to 11.
Despite not being one of our best performances, this was another good away victory, with plenty of endeavour from most players. There were another two debuts; Dave Gibson, doing well as a replacement on the wing, and loose-head prop Brian McGoogan, who was very impressive with his destructive scrummaging, so all in all, another decent day. Let’s hope for even more against Middlesbrough next week!
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22 September 2007
DMP 9
Tynedale 19
Despite the valiant efforts of all twenty-one players, Mowden’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end against a strong, well-drilled Tynedale outfit. The modest winning margin indicates the competitiveness of the encounter, but if anything, the game was even closer than the result suggests, and many within the home camp could consider themselves unfortunate to be on the losing side.
The hosts started brightly, and constant pressure exerted in the loose by the very mobile back row caused Tynedale repeatedly to handle in the ruck, and before long, fly half Charlie Rayner had capitalised on one of these indiscretions by converting the resultant penalty for a 3 – 0 lead. This was to be the pattern for the first twenty minutes or so, and an increasingly frustrated Tynedale pack conceded a second kickable penalty for the same offence at the end of this period. Rayner duly added the points, and at 6 – 0, the home side looked relatively comfortable. The loose forwards began to link with the backs more regularly, and a great break by Riddell may well have led to a score in the corner, if the final pass hadn’t been spilled wide-out, as Mowden managed to exert a measure of control. All this was to change, however, as a long pass in the middle of the field was picked off by the visitors’ inside centre for a simple interception try, and with the easy conversion, Tynedale, out of nothing, were suddenly ahead.
To the home side’s credit, there was no panic, and again the forwards managed to cause extreme difficulties for the visiting pack at every ruck, resulting in Rayner’s third successful penalty after half an hour for a 9 – 7 lead.
Unfortunately, this proved to be the last time the home side was ahead in the game, as a mixture of ill fortune, good play by Tynedale and some mystifying officiating allowed the visitors to get their noses in front, and keep them there.
Just before the break, a promising Mowden attack was again intercepted by the away team’s backs, but this time they were unlucky that a knock-on wasn’t spotted as the winger raced towards the line. Even at this point, it appeared that all was not lost, as a covering defender managed to make the tackle, with the ball ending up in touch. To the home side’s dismay, the tackle was judged high, and instead of the award of a simple penalty, as would be expected with another defender nearby, a penalty try was the decision, and Tynedale led 14 – 9 at the break.
With the breeze at their backs, the visitors were always going to play a territorial game in the second half, and they were able to set up camp in and around the Mowden 22 for long periods. The home side showed no signs of cracking however, until Luke Monument was sin-binned for going through a line-out, mid way through the half. The decision looked harsh in the extreme, as the player had the ball, but nonetheless, Mowden had to try to hold out with a man short. Unfortunately, they were unable to do this, as a blind side move from the resultant penalty allowed the Tynedale right wing to dive in at the corner for the game’s last score, and a 19 – 9 lead to the visitors.
In the remaining twenty minutes, Mowden pressed hard for a score, and were unlucky not to get over on several occasions, though the visitors deserved great credit for their determined defence.
This was a game and spirited performance by Mowden, and despite the defeat, a measure of confidence should be taken from it for the battles ahead, beginning next week with a tough away fixture at Westoe.
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15 September 2007
Sunderland 5
DMP 57
Mowden travelled away for the second successive week, and were again able to return home with an impressive victory to continue their blistering start to the season.
Whilst perhaps not quite as impressive as in the sublime performance against Carlisle, the visitors were always far too strong for a spirited home side, and their finishing and support play looked as good as ever.
Chris Clark, returning to the centre as a direct replacement for his brother, managed to go one better than his twin’s performance last week, bagging a personal tally of four tries. There were eight scored in total, four in each half, the others going to Ciaran McNicholas, Lee Ratcliff, Mark McConnell and Matt Morfoot. Ben Snook was again on form in the place kicking department, landing seven conversions and a penalty.
The game began perfectly for the away team, with a series of plays culminating in the first of Clark’s tries, but lack of concentration immediately afterwards allowed ex-Mowden player, Mike Delouse, to reply with a great individual score for Sunderland. This proved to be the only real blemish on the performance, however, and 7 – 5 was as close as it got for the home side. Despite committed defence, they were unable to keep out number eight McNicholas on the end of a sustained driving maul, and 12 – 5 quickly became 19 – 5, as scrum half Ratcliff benefited from a well-worked back row move for another run-in under the posts. Clark’s second try, and Snook’s third conversion, on 30 minutes, proved to be the last scores of the first half, as the home side bravely managed to stem the tide to leave the score at 26 – 5 at the break.
Sunderland’s game resistance continued for the first twenty minutes of the second half, and it was a measure of the visitors’ respect for their hosts efforts that they elected to kick an easy penalty after about 55 minutes to get the scoreboard moving again. Unfortunately for the home side, they tired in the final 20 minutes, and Mowden’s lightening-fast backs were able create a further four tries, finished off by McConnell, Clark (2) and Morfoot. McConnell’s try was particularly pleasing, as it indicated his progress in recovering from a career-threatening knee injury. A further three conversions, allied to his earlier penalty, took Snook’s points total for the day to 17, and following his 22 last week, the rest of the side may forgive him for never scoring any tries!
In summary, another good performance away from home, and a fully deserved 57 – 5 victory. Let’s hope we can keep up the good work next week, at home to much-fancied Tynedale. Entry to the game is free, and your support would be greatly appreciated.
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8 September 2007
Carlisle 0
DMP 102
Mowden travelled to Carlisle with high hopes following an impressive start to the season, but surely outstripped even their own expectations with a clinical 16-try performance, in which all performed admirably.
If a hard contest was expected up front, it was believed that the visitors’ lightning-fast backs division would be too hot for the hosts’ defence to handle, and so it proved.
Within a couple of minutes of the opening whistle, expansive play was finished off with a burst under the posts by new centre James Clark, and his partner, Ben Snook, added the simple conversion for a 7 – 0 lead. This pattern was maintained throughout the first period, and whilst it was the backs making the breaks, the forwards were certainly doing their share in the tighter areas, sometimes with enough energy to spare to get on the end of things and be rewarded with tries. First in this vein was prop Andy Kennedy, who supported well to crash over from ten metres, and number 8, Ciaran McNicholas (2), and lock Chris Dodd were also able to profit before the interval. These forward tries were complemented by longer range efforts from wingmen Stu Finlay and Lawrence Oliver, and a second from Clark. Three of these were converted by Snook, and Mowden took a commanding 48 – 0 lead into half time.
Unfortunately for Carlisle, there was to be no let up in the visitors’ scintillating attacking play in the second period, which at times had the look of an exhibition game. Three further tries were scored by Oliver, to take his personal tally to four for the game, and Clark was able to complete an impressive hat-trick. The tireless forwards were rewarded with a further try from Dodd, and open-side Aaron Myers was also able to get in on the act, side-stepping the fullback for a score any midfield back would have been proud of. Another try from Finlay, and a long-range effort on debut from fly half Charlie Rayner, along with another seven conversions from Snook completed the scoring, for a wholly convincing tally of 102 – 0.
This really was a special performance, and for the first time in a while, many members of the 2nds would appear to have a great chance of challenging their counterparts in the first fifteen.
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1 September 2007
DMP 10
Gosforth 1sts 5
With a lot of new faces making their DMP debuts, and some notable returnees from injury, the home side struggled for fluency in a first half littered with minor mistakes. A defensive mix-up at a lineout allowed the visitors to score from a well-practised move, as a forward drive from close range made it 5-0 at the break.
In the second half, Mowden began to take control, with much better team work and understanding. Gradually, as the half went on, they upped the pressure, which eventually led to a three phase passing move, finished by debutante winger Chris Clark, who went over in the corner to level the scores at 5-5. Ben Snook converted superbly from near the touchline to make it 7-5 to DMP, who led for the first time in the game. Further pressure from the kick off led to a tiring Gosforth giving away a trio of penalties, the last in front of the posts. Snook easily converted to make the score 10-5 with ten minutes to play, and the home side were able to hold out comfortably without any further threat from the visitors.
There were good performances from all the home side after the disjointed opening period, and the way the new players gelled with their established colleagues was particularly pleasing. All in all, a very promising start against a full Durham/Northumberland Division1 Team, with the only disappointment of the day being a nasty facial injury to Patrick Wilson, who required a trip to hospital within one minute of taking to the field as a second half substitute.
Let’s hope we can continue the good work in next week’s first CANDY league game away at Carlisle.
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