Darlington Mowden Park are celebrating after sharing the Newcastle Falcons Under-8 Tag Tournament title following an exciting 15-15 draw with Alnwick in the final in front of a packed crowd at Kingston Park last Sunday.

Mowden started the tournament, held as a curtain-raiser to Newcastle's match with Sale Sharks, by winning their pool with victories over Gateshead Fell (15-10), Sunderland (40-10) and a thrilling 25-20 win against Percy Park, who had also won all their previous pool games.

The semi-final was another nail-biter, Mowden coming out on top 15-10 against Northern with a last-minute try.

The final against Alnwick was staged at half time in the Falcons-Sharks game and an appreciative crowd were treated to some excellent rugby, a draw being a fair result.

Mowden coach Andy Baxter said: "You don't win competitions like this with just a team, it needs a whole squad, and everyone in our squad played magnificently.

"I am also grateful for the tremendous support from parents and friends which made this a really special day for the players, who deserve this success for all the hard work they have put in over the season."

The squad was: Daniel Scholey, Daniel Chambers, Liam Riley, Luke Edwardson, Daniel Burley, Chris Worrall, Charles Edgar, Cole Hunter, Ryan Teasdale,William Iles and Daniel Baxter who went to support the team but couldn't play due to having a broken arm.