We are pleased to welcome Darlington Mowden Park RFC to Tynedale Park for a pre-season friendly which will be played on Friday evening, kicking off at 7.30pm.

Tynedale Hadrians kick off their league season in CaNDY League 2 with a trip to Morpeth on Saturday when they will play Morpeth Edwardians. (kick off 3pm)

Tynedale and DMP have played each other in pre-season matches over recent seasons but the last time we played each other in a league match was in February 2015 in what was a National league One match.

From September 2001 until January 2008 the clubs had played each other in North One league matches 14 times; 8 wins to Darlington Mowden Park; 6 wins to Tynedale.

In season 2014/15 we then met again. twice, now in National League One-
7th Nov. 2014 Tynedale 19 Darlington MP 53
20th Feb 2015 Darlington MP 27 Tynedale 18

Tyne were relegated to North One that season; Darlington Mowden Park finished ninth, and remained in National League One.

That last match at the Darlington Arena in February 2015 involved a number of interesting features, and individuals. Firstly. the battle of the Connon brothers at fly-half for each team; with Brett Connon (two penalties and a conversion. 8 points) for Tynedale vying with Grant Connon (try, conversion, penalty 10 points) for the Darlington club.

For Darlington MP Charlie Maddison, ex-Tynedale. and later of Newcastle Falcons, who now is involved with his front-row pal Ralph Appleby in the coaching at Blaydon Rugby Club, played for DMP. Matt Shields, on the bench that day for DMP. on the other hand, has been coaching Tynedale in recent seasons. under Ben Woods.

Brett Connon played briefly for the Darlington club before returning to Newcastle Falcons, where he has starred for the last eight seasons.

The Tynedale side included Will Miller, Louis Frankland and Dan Taylor. who are still in the Tynedale 1stXV squad, whilst Peter Southern, who played that day. is now Director of Senior Rugby at the club.