Darlington Mowden Park 5 Wharfedale Foresters 19

THE Foresters showed real character and togetherness as they maintained their position at the top of the Northern Pilot League with a hard-earned win.

Darlington are a strong, physical side who have a couple of overseas players and proved to be a real test for the Foresters.

The Wharfedale pack performed well to counter their rivals with the front row of James Meehan, Jake Parkinson and Tom Jackson looking resolute, while the back row of Jim Bowers, Tom Baines and Jack Kitching were prominent in all facets of the game.

The first half was a ding-dong affair with Foresters eeking out a slender 8-5 advantage through a Jake Parkinson try and an Andy Rhodes penalty.

The second half saw Foresters extended their advantage with two more penalties from Rhodes and a try from the ever-dangerous Josh Prell.

A bonus to the old timers was the sight of coach John Metcalfe, truly a blast from the past, coming on for the last 15 minutes to add his experience.

Meehan, J Parkinson, Jackson, Borrill, Davies (c), Bowers, Baines, Kitching, Stockdale, White, B Parkinson, Simpson, T Davidson, Prell, Slater. Replacements: Rhodes, Keighley, Metcalfe, Burnett.