Darlington RFC : Darlington Under 13s played their first game of the season away to Harrogate.

The shock of turning up in cars, on time, with all players and parents accounted for, was nothing compared to the excitement of playing on Harrogate's 1st team pitch. Harrogate Under 13's are a big, well-organised side that like to keep the ball close to their pack. Darlington's 26-man squad included 5 boys making their debuts for the club, in the persons of Scott Starling, Sam Sankey, Jamie Copeland, Dexter Bogle and Sean Bennett, all of whom played well.

Darlington at times struggled to dispossess the ball from their bigger opponents but they excelled in defence where their tackling was excellent. The Under 13's strength is running with the ball and in an attempt to relieve pressure from well inside their own 22 metres area. Darlington ran the full length of the field, with the ball being passed through many pairs of hands. Matty Lister beat the last two defenders to score near to the posts. John Dawson was very unlucky with the conversation.

Harrogate came back very strong and had several chances to score but great defence from Darlington kept them out until they eventually scored near to the touch line, the kick was also missed. The half time whistle blew shortly afterwards.

Darlington made many changes throughout the game enabling every player to taste the action. Richard Leigh playing wing forward for the first time excelled in this role and was a constant thorn in the home team's side.

On a day when defences ruled both teams tackled well and a draw was a fair result. Training for any new player who is interested in attending and is in Year 8 at school, starts at 6.15pm prompt every Tuesday at the Darlington Rugby Club. Everyone is made welcome whether you have played before or not.

Next week we are at home to Middlesborough, kick off 11am. Players to meet at 10am.

Darlington Mowden Park

Darlington Mowden Park Under-16 Girls beat their Driffield rivals 39-5 on Sunday.

Captain Abby Blackburn scored and converted the opening try after ten minutes, Amber Hyde and vice-captain Nicola Jackson adding further first-half tries for a 17-0 lead.

Shortly after the break inside centre Ashleigh Wright scored two tries, one converted by Blackburn, then tries from hooker Ali Cull and a second for Jackson completed Mowden's scoring.

In the closing minutes Driffield got the try their efforts deserved.

Mowden Park team manager Richard Jackson: "Another excellent team performance in a hard fought and competitive game.

All the girls are continuing to improve and with the Durham County trials next week, I fully expect Mowden Park Rugby Club to be well represented."

Acklam 2nds 46 Darlington Mowden Park 3rds 5

A weakened Mowden 3rds were always going to have an uphill struggle against a larger and well-drilled Acklam squad but they caught their rivals cold when winger Alun Evans burst over the line after four minutes to put DMP five points up. Acklam then took control and ran in several good tries against a Mowden side who never gave up.