DARLINGTON MOWDEN PARK took another major step towards securing their National One status for next season and removing any lingering relegation fears as they claimed a fourth successive victory at the weekend.

Mowden continued their fine recent run of form with a bonus-point victory as they saw off Plymouth Albion 33-26 at the Darlington Arena.

Fly-half Matt Minogue contributed 18 points to the win, with Morgan Pressman, Max Fraine and Will Jones also crossing for tries.

The victory lifts Mowden into eighth position in the National One table, meaning they should be able to look up rather down for the remainder of the campaign.

“It was a good hard-fought win against a good well-drilled Plymouth outfit,” said Mowden director of rugby Garry Law, who has now seen his side beat Hull, Birmingham Moseley, Leeds Tykes and Plymouth in their last four matches.

“Our attacking play from turnover and transition ball was the key difference, and something that we pride ourselves on, especially at home.”

Law’s side made a rapid start to Saturday’s game, with three tries in the opening 15 minutes.

First, Passman dived over for his 17th try of the season, before hooker Fraine finished well off the back of a catch-and-drive.

Minogue added a try of his own soon after, and with the full-back converting all three scores, Mowden were able to stretch their early lead to 21 points.

However, a half of two halves then saw Plymouth roar back into the game, with their driving maul game yielding three tries of their own to level the scores at the break.

Mowden responded well in the second half, and a second try for Minogue saw them restore a seven-point lead shortly after the restart.

A flowing team try then saw Jones dive over to stretch the advantage to 12 points, only for Albion’s focus on the maul to again pay dividends as Harry Wilkinson barged over to peg the gap back to seven.

A late onslaught from the visitors put Mowden under considerable pressure, but the home defence held firm to see out a battling win.

“There are areas that we need to work on around the maul and discipline, but overall as a group, we have to be pleased with our performance,” added Law. “Our attitude and work rate to stick with it and not concede near the end of the match was particularly pleasing for us.”

The round 20 victory all but ensures Mowden’s National One status for next season, drawing them 15 points clear of the drop zone with just five games to play.

With a number of key players returning to the fold after injury absences, Law is hoping to finish the season on a high.

“It was good to see Morgan Passman back on the pitch for us, and we are in a good place at present with genuine competition for places,” he said. “Hopefully, this will stand us in good stead for the remainder of the season.”

Mowden make the long trip to Somerset this weekend to take on Taunton Titans, and round off the campaign with matches against Sale FC, Cinderford, Esher and Chinnor.

Things were not so positive for Darlington Mowden Park Sharks at the weekend as they crashed to a 60-0 home defeat at the hands of Gloucester-Hartpury in the Premier 15s.