Darlington Mowden Park 39 - 7 Caldy

WHOEVER else Mowden Park select from their multitude of back row men, Phil Dawson is certain of his place after proving he can play in any of the three positions.

At 21, the 6ft 4in Newcastle Academy product had no alternative but to switch from Darlington following their relegation as he needs to perform at least at National Three North level.

He was considered an out-andout open side, but he has graced the No 8 position for Mowden and on Saturday he scored a hat-trick from blind side.

Dawson has matured into a big performer at this level and with two Newcastle Development XV colleagues alongside him in the back row their skill and pace was too much for the promoted visitors.

Aaron Myers was never far from the ball at open side and the 6ft 7in student Peter Browne proved a very athletic, ball-handling No 8.

With twins James and Chris Clark, also Newcastle students, showing their paces in the backs, Mowden are already finding it hard to hang on to the likes of Ben Snook, who couldn't get into the squad despite scoring 24 points last week.

They also have to find game time for Charlie Raynor and have backs like Rob Stewart, Gareth Kerr, Martin Featherstone and Tom Wilkinson waiting to return from injury, plus Alex Tait from watching the World Cup final.

Mowden expected a tough game against a side who began the game one point ahead of them, but 29-0 at half-time became 39-0 before they eased off and allowed Caldy a converted try.

A penalty by fly half Jon Benson put Mowden ahead, then Dawson broke off the side of a driving maul to scramble over for his first try.

Benson converted and was again on target after centre Chris Clark made a good break and sent full back Iain Dixon over.

It became 22-0 after 31 minutes when Benson, playing his best game of the season, charged down a clearance kick to score.

Just before half-time Mowden kicked a penalty to touch and Dawson finished off the catchand-drive, Benson again converting.

Paul Vinnicombe replaced lock Ciaran McNicholas after 50 minutes, then prop Danny Brown went on for Dan Miller.

As Caldy began to get into the game their full back twice dropped the ball, first from what might have been a scoring pass then under a high kick.

Mowden followed up and the forwards almost drove to the line, where Caldy lost control of their own scrum ball and Dawson dived on it to complete his hattrick after 55 minutes.

Benson converted before making way after an hour for Raynor, who kicked a 30-metre penalty to make it 39-0.

Caldy dominated the last 15 minutes but had only a converted try to show for it, when they moved the ball out for right winger Ian Murray to score.