LIAM CHECKSFIELD feels Darlington Mowden Park produced one of their 'best displays of the season' as they ran out emphatic 40-13 winners over Taunton at the Arena at the weekend.

Mowden ran in six tries, two of which were scored by Checksfield, as they moved seven points clear of their opponents and climbed to eighth position in the National One table.

“As a team overall, I believe that it was a great well-rounded performance," said Checksfield, who left the Arena with the Man of the Match honours.

"A result like Saturday’s is a great reward for the hard work that the boys have put in over recent weeks, especially off the back of a couple of close defeats. There was a real buzz after the game in both the changing rooms and the club, which was a great atmosphere for everyone to be a part of.”

Mowden’s outside centre has been an integral part of the squad this season, having missed the end of the 2021-22 campaign after an injury sustained in an away trip to Sale in March.

Asked about his own personal form since his return to the side, Checksfield added: “After suffering an injury back in March, which brought an end to my season last year, I have had nothing but great support from the lads on the team and the coaching staff.

"A lot of work was put in over the summer in an attempt to get me fit for the start of the season which is where credit goes out to the team physio, Amy.

“As it stands, I am pleased with the way I am playing and glad I can contribute to the efforts that the whole team are putting in week in, week out.”

This season has presented a new challenge for the 23 year-old, who has had to juggle his on-field commitments with a new role off the pitch.

“Going into a new job this year has brought a new set of challenges," he explained. "With working shifts, it is very rare I am able to make both training and or be available for games.

"The coaching staff have been nothing but understanding, so, for me, it is a privilege every time I have been selected to play. And I owe it to the lads, who have been training, to perform to as high a standard as I can.”

Checksfield has really hit the ground running since his return to the side, scoring five tries in six appearances in his second season with the team.

Asked how he has settled in at Mowden since his move from Tynedale, he said: “I have loved every minute I have spent with DMP.

"Since my first season, the team have done a great job at welcoming me with open arms. It is not only the players that make DMP such a good club to be at but the fans who travel week after week to support us home or away definitely make it worthwhile."

His Mowden side will now enjoy a well-earned weekend off courtesy of the National One bye week, before a trip to Sale FC on November 26.

The Sale game will start a run of four matches heading into Christmas, and Mowden’s young centre is hoping to build on Saturday’s form.

“In the run-up to Christmas, there are a few tough games ahead with teams that are in and around our league position," said Checksfield. "I think the main target is to push on from Saturday’s performance as I’m sure if we continue to play as we did there are not many teams that would be able to live with us in attack.

"This will hopefully leave us in good stead to be comfortably sat in the top half of the league over the Christmas break.”