Pace key for Mowden success
DARLINGTON Mowden Park are
banking on pace to propel them
into National Two for the first
time in their play-off at Cinderford
today.
They have recalled winger
Chris Clarke after injury and have
also included the athletic Peter
Browne at No 8 against his former
club.
Director of Rugby Andy Howells
is expecting a tough battle up
front, but says: "If we can get a decent
platform we can compete
with most teams.
"We like to play a high-tempo
game and if it's warm and there's
a firm surface that will be in our
favour.
"We've had a good look at them
on the tapes and they certainly
don't go wide very often. Against
Rosslyn Park they drove a maul 35
metres to score.
"We have missed Phil Dawson
at No 8, so Browne coming in will
give our back row a better balance
with Aaron Myers and Scott Riddell
playing off him.
"He also helps the line-out,
which we have worked hard on because
it's an area Cinderford contest
very keenly, putting two up
every time.
"They are big boys, but I'm really
confident we can win. We
have a squad who work hard for
each other and have the right attitude.
They have come together
well and it's been a pleasure to
work with them."
Mowden will switch Iain Dixon
from wing to full back at the expense
of Ben Snook, while talented
utility back Charlie Rayner
will again have to settle for a place
on the bench.
Tony Begovich will join him
there after making way for
Browne, while Chris Stewart and
Adam Howard provide front row
cover.
Cinderford, who are expecting a
crowd of 2,000 for the only match
in Gloucestershire today, have
lost their last two games but claim
to be selecting from a full squad
for the first time for several
weeks.
They include two former
Gloucester players in prop Andy
Deacon and lock Mark Cornwell.
Other players of note are flanker
Jed Hooper, lock James Ciaburro,
centre Toby Wilson and winger
Henry Trinder.
Mowden Park: I Dixon, C Clarke, J
Clarke, J Connolly, G Kerr, J Benson,
A Foreman, D Brown, R Batty, D
Miller, P Vinnicombe, L Monument, S
Riddell, A Myers, P Browne.
Blaydon finish their first season
in National Two with a home
game against Westcombe Park,
which skipper Dave Guthrie has
to miss because, as a policeman,
he is required for football crowd
control duty.
Patricio Desmond will play at
lock with Andrew Archibald at
blind side, while Richard Windle
returns at fly half and Andrew
Fenby on the wing.
Nick Williams, the physio who
recently took up a post in
Taunton, is back for the weekend
and is likely to be pressed into service
at scrum half.
Durham City entertain North
Two West runners-up Stockport
in their play-off for a place in
North One. Jonny Robertson
comes in at full back in the only
change from the side which enjoyed
a good win at Aspatria last
week.
Back row veteran Darren McKinnon
is again selected at lock,
with Stuart Smithson at No 8 and
Howard Johnson at blind side.
Middlesbrough complete their
North One programme at Birkenhead
Park, and in the Durham Junior
Cup final Stockton face
Barnard Castle at Hartlepool
Rovers.
9:46am Saturday 26th April 2008
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