Hoppers were looking to build on their win last time out against Wharfedale but didn’t do themselves any favours when Darlington’s Jacob Butterill opened the score with a nice feint in the opening minute.

The visitors levelled the scoring at seven a piece just minutes later however when Harry Holden with the help of his teammates powered over following a lineout.

DMP showed their class for the remainder of the half, applying consistent pressure onto Hoppers forcing them into an array of penalties.
Tries from Jacob Oliver, Harrison Wood and a pair for Liam Checksfield with a hat-trick of conversions from Flynn Ward gave the high flying Mowden Park a 38-7 lead at half time.

Darlington started the second half as they ended the first as Butterill went over for his 2nd try of the afternoon increasing the lead to 43-7.

Dan Orwin’s side rallied however to rattle off three tries off their own without reply to secure a well-deserved bonus point.

The first of the trio was a penalty try awarded to Hoppers after some consistent pressure on the Darlington line.
Ed Keohane ensured the visitors built on that penalty try when he crossed over himself.

The bonus point was secured after fullback and Preston man of the match Sam Freeman crossed over after some nice play with wingers Jacob Browne and Jack Roberts.

Freeman successfully kicked the conversion to all three tries to reduce the Hoppers deficit to just 15.

Darlington Mowden Park denied any chance of a comeback with Simon Uzokwe and Harrison Wood both scoring injury-time tries to put the cherry on top of an impressive DMP performance.

There was still time for the Lancashire side to score an injury-time consolation try of their own when Jacob Browne's consistent work ethic finally rewarded him with a well-earned try.

The final score read 57-35 with the away side returning to Lancashire with a bonus point.

Hoppers coach Dan Orwin stated that ‘everything went against his side’ in the first half but the second half performance ‘was something they can build on’ as they host Otley next week at Lightfoot Green Lane.

Louis Jefferson