AS they continue to rebuild their side, Mowden can take heart from a spirited performance against the National Three North title favourites.

The loss of No 8 Jason Smithson to Newcastle following the departure of star backs Martin Shaw and Mark Bedworth was a body blow.

But it was encouraging for Mowden to compete effectively against such powerful opponents.

That the match remained in the balance to the death owed a lot, however, to a sensational interception try by speedy winger Michael Breen.

The Bees were leading 22-8 midway through the second half when they tried to maul their way over from a penalty five metres out.

When they were held up they spun the ball out and Breen intercepted ten metres from his own posts and scorched away to score.

He added a simple penalty to his conversion to make it 22-18 with five minutes left, but the visitors' prolific marksman, fly half Tom Rhodes, settled it with his fifth penalty.

Things should now get a little easier for Mowden, although two games against Blaydon next month will be interesting, especially Saturday's Powergen National Trophy tie at Crow Trees.

The two men newly-signed from Blaydon were unable to make much impact as Gavin Stainsby was out of position at lock and flanker Ricky Bagier got on only for the last 15 minutes.

Stainsby could compete for the No 6 shirt if New Zealander Junior Fagalilo switches to hooker, where he played for the last 20 minutes on Saturday and won a strike against the head.

He looked a useful acquisition, but the Bees' powerful blend of Pacific Islanders and South Africans held sway and they were much more threatening in the backs.

Mowden fly half Jonny Golightly was too inclined to kick and there was never any hint of slick midfield handling, although Gareth Kerr occasionally looked sharp at centre following the all-clear from his injury troubles.

Mowden's forwards competed well and good defence kept them in the game, helping to stem a strong start in each half by the visitors.

Bradford took an early 6-0 lead, but Mowden roused themselves when lock Ian Robinson caught a drop-out then Matt Holmes and Dave Sinclair drove on.

Breen missed a penalty but succeeded with his next kick when, after a break by Kerr, another penalty was awarded on the 22.

Mowden went ahead when a mishit cross-kick by Golightly was fumbled by a Bradford winger and Breen swooped to send skipper Iain Dixon over in the right corner.

A chip to the left corner produced a try for Bradford's Mark Kirkby and Rhodes' second penalty put them 14-8 ahead at half-time.

They again came out strongly and a powerful run by Tauma'holo Taufahema was finished off by his fellow centre Stuart Dixon.

When Rhodes quickly added a penalty from wide on the left Bradford led 22-8 with 35 minutes left and looked like running away with it.

But with Peni Fakalelu, who had replaced the injured Sinclair, making inroads in the loose Mowden refused to lie down and were further encouraged by the sin-binning of the visiting hooker.

But after Breen missed the simple penalty they sent on Bagier and Ross Batty into the back row.

Fagalilo switched to hooker in place of Mark Darlington, while Bagier replaced Andrew Tonkin.

Mowden were more than holding their own until Robinson was yellow-carded for pulling down at a line-out.

Bradford then got back on top and looked certain to stretch their lead until Breen's try, which he converted, set up an interesting finish.

Result: Darlington Mowden Park 18, Bradford and Bingley 25.