Dever shines as DMP downed in thriller

FYLDE scored a crucial bonus-point victory over Darlington Mowden Park to put daylight between themselves and their opponents in the league table.

Tries from Ben Vernon, Scott Armstrong, Tom Burtonwood and a maiden Connor Dever effort were enough to secure the win – ensuring they remained in 12th place.

Now five points clear of Mowden and 12 clear of the bottom two, Fylde also kept pace with both Esher and Cambridge above them.

Vernon’s converted try opened the scoring, but Ben Frankland levelled things when he went over in the left corner for Mowden, with Warren Seals adding the extras.

And Seals then scored himself, again converting, to give the visitors a sevenpoint lead.

But the lead did not last long as Armstrong burst clear down the left wing to score in the corner, with Greg Smith again accurate from the kicking tee to ensure the sides were level at the break.

Jamie Barnard re-established the Mowden lead in the second half, but Seals could not convert, meaning that Burtonwood’s converted score was enough for a two point lead to Fylde as the clock began to play a role in proceedings.

Seals and Smith then exchanged penalties, to keep the game tight, but Dever went over for his first Fylde try to seal the game for the home side, with the fly-half’s conversion adding the gloss.