Ex-Titan Irvine sets up DMP victory

FORMER Rotherham player Callum Irvine returned to Clifton Lane to play a crucial role in Darlington Mowden Park’s winning try.

The visitors clinched victory in the closest of contests as the clock ticked into the red.

Full-back Irvine ran dangerously deep in Rotherham’s 22 to create an opening for centre Ben Dixon whose try grabbed the points at the end of an intriguing encounter.

With the tackling of both sides the dominating feature, Darlington decisively took advantage of space in Rotherham’s defence at the end of each half.

The Titans led 10-3 following the award of a penalty try and a penalty, but several attacks by Darlington late in the first half at last forced a way through for No.8 Oliver Hodgson.

Rotherham should have scored at least twice after the interval but failed to breach a stubborn Darlington defence that dug in and defied the odds.

However, a second penalty from fly-half Sam Hollingsworth provided a narrow lead (13-10) in the 64th minute and the home side expected to kick on.

They retained that advantage for ten minutes, but Darlington drew level again as fly-half Warren Seals struck his second penalty. A 13-13 draw would have been a fair result and that seemed the likely outcome.

Rotherham, though, were penalised again as the clock expired and this error set up a lineout deep in Titans’ territory.

Pack pressure set up Irvine’s eventual break that in turn led to Dixon’s winning score.