GARETH Nesbit had given up rugby to try boxing prior to a comeback which has seen him emerge as an inspiring leader of Darlington Mowden Park.

The 35-year-old prop took over this season and his reign as captain got off to an unpromising start when he missed the first seven games through injury.

They lost five of those, plus the next two, although the one-point home defeat by National One leaders Richmond proved to be a significant turning point as they have won all eight games since.

Nesbit is used to being a successful leader, having led Westoe to three promotions and a Twickenham final. He also captained the Durham County team before deciding to try something different.

“I really enjoyed boxing and I will probably go back to it,” he said. “But Mowden offered the challenge of playing in National One and this was the one club I would have come back for.

“I captained Westoe for nearly ten years and we had an outstanding group who came up together. I was playing with my mates, but that got diluted when some had families and others went to work offshore, so it was time for a change.

“I went along to South Shields Boxing Academy just to keep fit initially. Some of the lads knew me from a rugby perspective and once I'd shown them I was willing to work hard they encouraged me to progress to sparring.

“Then I was asked if I would compete and I had one bout in London, which I won. It had to be in the heaviest category because there was no way I was going to get under 14 and a half stone.

“That meant there was a lot of waiting around after the weigh-in because we were late on the card, but it was brilliant and I really enjoyed it.”

Nesbit says the idea of joining Mowden was first put to him by ex-Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Mowden back row man Shaun Cassidy, who had coached at Westoe.

“He had watched the play-off when Mowden got promoted to National One and was impressed by the whole set-up. It was just me and him chatting, but it got me interested and I came down for a chat.

“I could easily have decided it wasn't for me and continued with the boxing, but I was impressed by what they had to say. The coaches and Mike Keeligan, the chairman, outlined a structure which backed up what they wanted to achieve, and I saw it as a good opportunity to play at this level for a club with realistic aims.

“Some big clubs throw a lot of money at it and if it doesn't work some people are left to deal with the fall-out. Others have a big financial backer and find themselves in trouble when he walks away.

“But Mowden are very business-based, they get good crowds and are not reliant on one person. People think it's all about the facilities, but there are a lot of old-school rugby people here, like Andy Craggs, who runs the second team.

“I think it's a sustainable model and it would work at the next level. We don't talk about getting into the Championship, but there is a desire to keep progressing.”

Joining Mowden for their first campaign in National One last year, Nesbit was moving up to a level he had not experienced before at the age of 33.

“I backed myself to handle it,” he said. “I had some good coaching at Westoe from people like Richard Arnold, the ex-Newcastle captain, and the boxing had got me into the best shape I'd ever been in.

“When I came to pre-season training I was immediately impressed by the skill levels. So was Matt Thompson and he had played in the Premiership for ten years with the Falcons.

“Our coaches, Danny Brown and John Newton, have always wanted to play an attacking brand of rugby and they do a lot of skill-based sessions.

“It was obvious at the end of last season that we needed more firepower and the recruitment provided that with players who also have the required skills.

“Our two locks, Rob Conquest and Tom Jubb, are always willing to put in the hard graft but they also have good skills and good engines.”

Last season Nesbit played under the captaincy of a player 11 years his junior, Cameron Mitchell, who was one of five who left for London in the summer.

Flanker Jack Allcock joined him at Richmond, full back Henry Robinson went to Rosslyn Park but is currently injured, while Guy van den Dries and Tom Hodgson also headed south. Matt Thompson had already gone to Ealing and prop Matt Shields to Harlequins.

“Some of the London clubs are very wealthy and pay big match fees, so it's inevitable that players will be drawn there,” said Nesbit. “Cameron also had a good job offer and is playing for a club with a rich history.

“We began the season with a lot of new players and it always takes a while for a squad to settle down. Part of my role as captain is to make sure everyone gets to know each other and we have a really good spirit now.

“The combination of good skills and a willingness to work hard for each other is proving very effective.

“We have a strong squad with more props than last season and back row is a very competitive area with local lads Joe Craggs, Liam Riley and Rory Duff pressing their claims.

“When Liam tackled me in training recently I thought I'd been hit by a bus. Rory is a back row man but has played prop and fly half for the seconds this season. Normally if you heard that you'd say it wasn't serious rugby, but he has the ability to play anywhere.

“It can be very difficult to make an impact coming on from the bench for 20 minutes. Rory always manages to do that but isn't getting the chance at the moment because Simon Uzokwe has also mastered the art.

“With such good players waiting in the wings, even if we get a few injuries there is no reason why our good run shouldn't continue.”