Darlington Mowden Park clinched their first win of the National One season with a much improved performance at the Darlington Arena on Saturday. Garry Law's side ran in 5 tries to seal a much needed victory, and to stave off a late fightback from the visitors.

After an impeccably observed minute's silence it was the Lions who opened the scoring, with a penalty from the boot of Luke Bouchier inside 5 minutes. Mowden responded immediately, with Joe Craggs gathering the restart before Junior Newton spotted a gap in the backfield to grubber through. Fellow Falcon Marcus Tiffen won the foot race to dot down, with Josh Ree adding the extras. Mowden's second followed on the 20 minute mark, with Max Fraine diving over after a powerful driving maul. DMP's third came in similar fashion, with Alfie Barron adding the finishing touches to barge over from close range. Leicester had their chances to narrow the deficit, but Mowden were clinical and soon added the bonus point score. After a loose pass was gathered by Newton, the ball was worked out to Henry Hadfield who finished brilliantly to step his way through the Leicester defence. The visitors pressed on late in the half, but Mowden defended excellently to hold up the Leicester attack twice to go in 26-3 up at the break.

The away side made a positive start to the second half, with Jake Sterland taking advantage of an overlap on the left to score his side's first try. The second came just 3 minutes later, when a crossfield kick was finished by Theo Mannion. Bouchier converted both brilliantly from the left touchline, narrowing the gap to 9 points and bringing the visitors right back into the game. A Yaree Fantini try halted the visitors' momentum, but Leicester responded through Ahren Crawley to keep themselves in the game. Ree added an important penalty with 10 minutes to play, but a converted John Murdoch try set up a grandstand finish in the North East. With the Lions 7 points down in the final minutes, they pressed on for a late score that could have tied the game, but a vital turnover from Ree ensured Mowden held on for their opening win of the campaign.

Joe Craggs was awarded man of the match honours for a typically tireless performance in the pack, with many putting their hands up as part of a brilliant team effort on the day.

Mowden will now hope to carry momentum into Saturday's trip to Bishop's Stortford, before returning to the Arena to face Birmingham Moseley on Saturday 23rd November.