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WARREN SEALS’ late penalty secured a thrilling win for Darlington Mowden Park against Rosslyn Park at The Rock.
The home side had a 28-17 lead at one stage in the second half and were left to rue a number of errors.

Shaun McCartney and Matt Dudman scored for the visitors in the first half with Charlie Amesbury and Hugh Tizard responding for Park.


Greg Gilanders wins the lineout

Hugo Ellis crashed over to extend the home side’s lead shortly after half time but tries from Brandon Asher-Wood and Chris McTurk completed the turnaround. After a penalty put Park back in front, Seals stepped up to win the game for Darlington.

Darlington made a flying start, scoring in the third minute through McCartney but Park responded after Amesbury scored in the corner. On 15 minutes the home side were caught napping at a quick penalty and Darlington scrum half Dudman crossed over. Park struck back with a try from Tizard on his first start.

The two fly halves then exchanged penalties, leaving Park a point in front at half time. A third penalty from Lound early in the second half extended the lead to four. Park’s forward dominance provided the platform for their third try, Hugo Ellis eventually going over close to the posts.

That opened up an 11-point lead but Darlington struck back with a try from Asher-Wood.
Darlington then took the lead as McTurk found space out wide. After a penalty for a high tackle, Lound stepped up to put Park back ahead but it would be Seals who would prove to be the hero for Darlington.

Park will be back at The Rock next week to take on London rivals Blackheath. They were dragged from the top of National League One by Ampthill in a 24-31 defeat at Kidbrook Lane.
And the home side will hope to end January with a win against the team they lost 23-15 to last time out.


Harry Leonard (Russell Weir 70); Bam Fadahunsi, Oli Grove, Joe Munro, Charlie Amesbury; Greg Lound, Jack Gash (Leonard 78); Ali Wade (Mo Nwakor 40, Wade 78), Karl Gibson (Ellis A 70), Paul Doran-Jones (Nick Lovell 56); Hugh Tizard (Frampton 56), Gregor Gillanders; Adam Frampton (Mike MacFarlane 40), Arthur Ellis (Jack Barnard 62), Hugo Ellis
Darlington Mowden Park
Tries: McCartney 4, Dudman 15, Asher-Wood 61, McTurk 69
Conversions: Seals 5, 16, 70
Penalties: Seals 37, 80
Sin Bin: Craggs 78


Rob Sutton

Images: David Whittam

January 21, 2019