First match of the season

A trip up the A1 to Darlington Mowden Park was a great start to the season and it was an amazing experience for the boys to play in the stadium, so thanks to the guys at Mowden Park for making that happen. As always, Mowden Park started as they meant to go on, whereas a lot of us were probably still on our summer holidays. We missed a lot of first up tackles, were slow to our feet when we did tackle and our lack of organisation all contributed to giving them the advantage. When we did front up in the last quarter we scored three excellent tries. We always seem to start slowly and finish strongly, so we will be aiming to be quicker from the start and make it last. Jack Link and Joe Padgett were strong in the front row. Jack Muncaster was consistent at scrum half in the second half. Ben Gladstone was brilliant in the air whilst being lifted in the lineouts. Ben Pettitt was solid as always at the breakdown. Jonny Blanden's tackling at 12 in the second half helped us to get on the front foot. Olly Tomalin lead from the front throughout and Paul Townend had the highest workrate of anyone on the pitch. So, all in all, a pleasing effort from lots of individuals, but lots to take away and work on as a team...so see you all for tackling practice on Thursday night.