MOWDEN Park's Durham Senior Cup final victory over Westoe last Saturday was overshadowed by an injury to their Tongan flanker Soa Otuvaka which saw the game brought to an early conclusion.

There seemed nothing out of the ordinary as Otuvaka passed the ball to Chris Strong and all eyes were on the Mowden substitute as he touched down their seventh try of the game 15 minutes from time.

But Otuvaka had collapsed in considerable distress, resulting in a lengthy delay during which he received medical help before being taken to the University Hospital of North Durham by ambulance.

After the delay both captains agreed to end the game, with the result standing and Mowden captain Aaron Redaelli stepping up to receive the trophy.

Doctors believe Otuvaka was suffering from concussion and he was released from hospital, though he was due to return for tests this week.

"We are just happy that he is OK," said Mowden's director of rugby John Parkinson. "The doctors have given him the all-clear and that is great news. It has marred the game somewhat and credit must go to Westoe for agreeing to have the game stopped."

Mowden forward Vaha Faveovolu was also a visitor to hospital with a hand injury which requires plastic surgery.

Westoe, two leagues below Mowden, started strongly and took the lead through a Craig Stephenson penalty. Mowden's forwards then asserted themselves, a series of drives ending with Tasi Tuhana feeding Kelekolo Paino Hehea to score, Mark Bedworth adding the conversion.

After 12 minutes it was 12-3, Redaelli picking up from the base of a scrum and bursting clear before putting scrum half Richard Holbrough in for the try. Bedworth missed the conversion, but then swapped penalties with Stephenson before Mowden ended the half with another forward-inspired try, Faveovolu touching down and Bedworth converting to make it 22-6.

A Stephenson penalty made it 22-9 at the break, but a poor Westoe restart allowed Mowden to opt for the scrummage on halfway and more fine handling by their forwards ended with Bedworth scoring in the corner.

Westoe scored the try their efforts deserved when full back Paul Hagan went over in the corner, Stephenson converting to make it 29-16.

Mowden full back Ian Dixon benefited from a fine run by Faveovolu to score in the corner, then substitute winger Jon Boatman ran half the length of the pitch to touch down, Bedworth adding both conversions as Mowden turned the screw.

Then came the unfortunate incident involving Otuvaka and, with players and supporters in subdued mood, the sensible decision was made to end the game early.