Newton happy with mean streak as DMP victorious
DARLINGTON Mowden Park coach John Newton praised his side’s ruthless streak as they got the better of Cambridge.
DMP made it three victories out of three as they scored six tries against visitors Cambridge, maintaining their 100 percent record.
Newton said: “Overall I’m very pleased to record a win and a second home win at that.
“The team need to be more patient when in key attacking areas and play the 80 minutes out. Cambridge were strong in defence, but made errors and we were able to capitalise on their mistakes.”
On a difficult day for handling, the inevitable errors were evident in an even first half, where visitors Cambridge stunned the crowd, scoring after only two minutes of play.
After a penalty was awarded, fly-half Jack Green kicked for the corner and a catch-anddrive lineout effort saw Cambridge hooker Ean Griffiths force his way over.
The home side replied with a similar catch-anddrive effort from a penalty awarded against the visitors for offside, but when stopped just short, the ball was spun out and home flyhalf Warren Seals ran through a gap in the Cambridge defence to level.
Cambridge were reduced in number when winger Michael Ayrton was sin-binned for tackling the home scrum-half Matt Dudman whilst in the air.
Darlington however, were unable to capitalise on their advantage and it was Cambridge who managed to add to their total and struck back when the home side infringed at the ruck, with Green edging the visitors ahead with the penalty.
Just prior to the break,
Cambridge were penalised on their 22-metre line and home centre Ben Frankland took a quick tap, feeding full-back Grant Connon whose pace took him through the middle of the Cambridge defence for a score under the posts, easily converted by Seals.
Cambridge were well in the game at that time and probably unlucky with that single lapse of concentration to go behind at the interval.
A combination of progress from home prop Jack Payne and some good support work from Simon Uzokwe, saw the flanker storm in for a try, which was converted by Seals.
Cambridge were hampered by unforced errors and wrong kicking options, but did manage to record a penalty from Green.
In the last quarter, Darlington ran away with the game scoring three tries, one of which was converted by Seals.
Flanker Uzokwe com- pleted his double breaching the visiting defence with a powerful run.
The visitors’ consolation try came after good work from winger Ayrton to make up for his earlier transgression.
Cambridge director of rugby Ross Stewart said: “Darlington took their opportunities and deserved their win. We were well in the game at half-time, but those mistakes cost us dear. We will learn from them and move on.”