Tynedale Raiders winning run in the Candy League came to an end following a hard fought match away to a strong Darlington Mowden Park outfit. Overall the game was a superb advert for second team rugby in the northeast with both sides displaying skill, pace and physicality across the pitch. A final score of 22-19 to the home side reflecting the even-matched nature of the sides.

Despite the game being played out in the strange surroundings of an empty arena, the playing surface was excellent which allowed both sides to play an attractive brand of running rugby. The Raiders were forced to ring a number of changes to their squad through unavailability and injuries, particularly across the back division which has been so strong in recent weeks. Nevertheless, the full squad that travelled acquitted themselves extremely well.

The Raiders started the match the stronger and worked their way into the DMP 22, but following a series of close quarter plays, they became impatient and could not register any points. After 10 minutes of play, the Raiders found themselves 7-0 down, a turnover of possession giving DMP an opportunity to move the ball and break through the disorganised Tyne defence for the first converted score of the match.

With only 15 minutes played, the Raiders lost influential skipper Ed Craney to injury and this meant an early re-jig of their forwards. From a resulting set piece, the ball squirted out of the side of the scrum on half way and DMP were first to react and sent their wing on a long and powerful run deep into Tynedale's 22 where an offload allowed a support runner to finish; 12-0 with just under 20 minutes played.

At this point in the game, DMP were very much in the ascendancy and when Tynedale tried to relieve some pressure, a loose kick was swallowed up by the DMP backs and quick passing and good running lines undid the Tyne defence once more bringing a 19-0 score line with less than 30 minutes played.

To their full credit, this galvanised the Tynedale side and they were finally rewarded on 36 minutes when a series of penalties and close drives from the forwards resulted in the excellent Dicky Dunn crashing over for a score which Adam Todhunter converted, 19-7 at half time. This score before half-time was crucial as it brought belief to the Raiders and showed them how they needed to play into the heart of the DMP defence rather than look to be too expansive too early in their phases.

The Raiders came out for the second half with a renewed energy and tempo that had their hosts rattled. Stu Johnson returning at No.8 had a fine game with a number of telling carries and offloads giving the side important momentum and ball for the backs to play off. On 48 minutes, some excellent handling in the backs set winger Ben Common free to run in for an unconverted try, 19-12 with 30 minutes to play - game on!

DMP now had a period of pressure of their own and despite not really threatening to break the resolute Raiders defence, they won a penalty which they chose to convert to extend their lead to 10 points with 20 minutes of the game still to play.

Again, Tynedale would not lie down and played some attractive rugby deep into DMP territory. Adam Shane, who had been a attacking threat from full-back throughout, jinked his way through the defence and raced into score, again converted by Todhunter to close the gap to 22-19 with 8 minutes left on the clock.

The Raiders tried to come up with a killer play to win the match but couldn’t work themselves into the right area of the field in the final minutes and so the game finished with DMP shading a good contest.

All players, from both sides deserve praise for the way in which the game was played but special mention is made to Tynedale's young props Owen Loughead and Sam Stephenson who played the full 80 minutes and competed very well against much bigger, more experience opposition. It was also pleasing to see the return of Owen Waldin who had a fine game at inside centre. The man of the match honours went to Jacob Brown who was superb in the line out and tireless in his work around the park.

The Raiders continue their Candy League fixtures next week at home to Alnwick and will look to bounce back to winning ways.