Mowden and neighbours boost survival hopes

They were both crucial victories as other results in National Three North suggested there is going to be quite a scrap to avoid the relegation places.

After a blank day tomorrow because of both clubs' early exit from the Powergen Cup, Darlington have another vital league match next Saturday when they visit the only club below them, Dudley Kingswinford.

Mowden remain third from the bottom with one more point than their neighbours courtesy of the new system, which saw them gain a bonus point for losing by fewer than seven against Cleckheaton.

While the Darlington clubs are becoming increasingly aware that they are battling with each other for players and sponsors in order to survive at this level, it is also increasingly obvious that other rivals are casting their nets wider and wider.

Bradford included four Pacific Islanders against Mowden, with the two in the three-quarters scoring their three tries.

Of Mowden's two new Tongans, Fosita Tanginoa had a good game at No 6, while prop Beni Fakalelu did not get on until injury time. He is not fully fit but it is hoped he will recover soon as Dave Sinclair is leaving shortly for New Zealand. Also departing this month is back row man Tom McLaren, who went on for the last few minutes.

Sinclair and fellow prop Ian Keeligan were both trying to shake off flu on Saturday, but with newly-signed prop Derek Dixon unavailable, they had little choice but to play.

In the event they provided the platform for a deserved and hard-earned victory against a side who fancied their chances of a second successive promotion after going through North One unbeaten last season.

Mowden had a decisive edge in the scrums and the visitors also struggled at the line-out.

Mowden turned a 13-5 deficit midway through the first half into a 28-13 lead before Bradford ran in two long-range scores to make the try-count 3-3.

But Mowden's overall territorial advantage allowed Mark Bedworth to kick four penalties and he added two conversions.

Playing at inside centre, Bedworth formed a good link with South African Michael Georgiou, who showed excellent handling and tackled hard in his first full game at fly half.

With skipper Richard Holbrough also showing improved form at scrum half, the signs were that Mowden may have found the basis for a successful back division for the first time since assistant coach Kevan Oliphant was forced to retire.

Mowden went ahead in the second minute, when they took a quick penalty and kept the ball alive well up the right before moving it left for winger Tom Lauriston to score.

Another quick penalty saw Georgiou burst away from his own 22, but Bradford came back with a high-speed move finished by centre Philip Greaves.

The conversion and two penalties gave them their 13-5 lead, but they lost a lock to the sin-bin for elbowing and Mowden kicked the penalty to the corner.

The impressive Ian Robinson won the ball, hooker Tasi Tuhana took it on the peel, then Keeligan was driven to the line, but the try wasn't given.

It scarcely mattered as a minute later superior scrummaging set up the chance for Bedworth to put through a clever chip for fellow centre Martin Shaw to score.

Bedworth missed a penalty with his one bad kick, but he struck twice late in the half to make it 18-13 at half-time.

A penalty to the corner 15 minutes after the break resulted in Tuhana being driven over, Bedworth converting from wide on the left.

Bradford almost scored from the restart, but as they drove for the line a prop suffered a broken ankle, which caused a long delay while a stretcher was summoned and they lost momentum.

Bedworth's third penalty gave Mowden a comfortable cushion and he added another in between Greaves and winger Siole Nau racing over for Bradford's late tries.

Greaves took the ball at pace and sailed through a gap before dummying inside and accelerating to the line.

There was also defensive frailty when Nau burst from a maul in midfield and rounded full back Iain Dixon to score under the posts.

But the 15 minutes of injury time were almost up and Mowden hung on without further alarms.

Darlington edged ahead ten minutes from time at Bedford through centre Andrew Turner's fourth penalty.

The return of flanker Martin Howe and lock Paul Radford made a big difference, and Rob Stewart had an excellent game at scrum half.

Playing into the wind in the first half, Darlington fell behind after three minutes when a Bedford player raced between Howe and fly half Paul Lee to score under the posts.

Turner attempted a long-range penalty, which fell short, but he landed the next one after ten minutes and Darlington were looking good as they dominated the line-out and strung some passes together.

Howe and lock Richard Snowball made the running for a 24th-minute try, finished off from five metres by prop Dan Miller.

Bedford kicked two penalties to lead 13-8, but Darlington were still looking confident and when the hosts had a lock sin-binned, Turner made it 13-11 at half-time.

With slope and wind advantage, things were looking good for Darlington when Bedford were handed another yellow card nine minutes after the break.

But then Darlington prop Paul Shepherd suffered the same fate and Bedford kicked the resulting penalty.

Once they were back to full strength, Darlington began to pile on pressure, forcing Bedford to concede a penalty rather than a try. Turner kicked it and his fourth success shortly afterwards proved decisive.