Mowden Park look to the future as Ryan signs for next season

While lock Rob Conquest is being sent to Coventry, Caolan Ryan is coming in the opposite direction. He was man of the match when Mowden recently lost 27-10 at Coventry.

A fly half or full back, he is a product of the Worcester Academy and has played in the Championship for Moseley.

Ryan is also a goal-kicker, which should not be something Mowden need given that they could have a choice between Warren Seals, Garry Law and Grant Connon to do the job.

However, all are injured, forcing makeshift fly half Chris Auld to take on the role in Saturday's 27-14 defeat at Blaydon.

Law, who also coaches the backs, said: “Caolan has played Championship rugby at 10 and 15 and is an asset we will be looking to use. We had an eye on him and our recent fixture underlined our thoughts.

“We see him playing a massive part in what we hope to achieve on and off the field.”

Mowden have also signed James Penman, a 27-year-old New Zealand-born prop who spent this season with Plymouth and was in their squad for both matches against Mowden.

Director of rugby Danny Brown said: “James is not shy when it comes to contact and likes to get his hands on the ball, which suits our style. I'm pretty sure he will become a crowd favourite.”

Plymouth are in administration and Penman said: “They have been very good to me, but they are heading in a different direction. I have heard great things about Mowden and my grandmother came from County Durham.”

The only conclusion to be drawn from Conquest's glowing praise for Mowden is that he is going for financial reasons.

“It has been an amazing two years and I have absolutely loved it,” he said. “I have never been involved with a group of players who have got on so well. Working with the community team has also been great.”

Two tries by Yarm School centre Ben Stevenson made the difference as Blaydon avenged their December drubbing at the Northern Echo Arena.

Very much on Newcastle Falcons' radar, Stevenson's pace comfortably took him clear for both tries.

His second was a 75-metre interception and, as Blaydon also scored a breakaway try at the death, they were a little flattered by the margin.

Another Teessider, Mowden's open side Rory Duff, was the game's outstanding player. He has spent most of the season in the second team, but on this evidence a regular starting place should be found for his creative talents.

Mowden were unable to call on hooker Santiago Socino, while tight head Ignas Darkintis was on international duty with Lithuania.

When they lost reserve hooker Gaston Demergasso before half-time, it forced Simon Uzokwe to take over in a role for which he was groomed in early season. But front row was an area where Blaydon clearly had the edge.

Mowden showed early enterprise and took the lead through a brilliant finish by winger Jake Henry, who took a pass by his ankles and stepped inside to score.

Auld converted, but Blaydon drew level when Tom Rock made a half break following a line-out and found Stevenson, who sprinted under the posts from 30 metres.

Despite having Talite Vaioleti sin-binned for the last 10 minutes of the first half after pulling down a maul, Mowden hung on.

But they shot themselves in the foot after the break, conceding an early penalty which Blaydon kicked to the corner for ex-Mowden man Jason Smithson to score his 25th try of the season.

Mowden began to take risks and a long pass was easily intercepted by Stevenson, leaving him a clear run to the posts.

The conversion and a penalty, when Mowden conceded an extra 10 metres for backchat, made it 22-7. But they were back in it when Bruno Bravo jinked over from a ruck and swiftly drop-goaled the conversion via a post.

They pressed again and Uzokwe thought he had been driven over, but Smithson broke from a five-metre scrum and the ball was hoofed downfield to end Mowden's hopes.

Blaydon regained the ball, moved it left and Nathan Bailey somehow stepped between two tacklers to score.

The lack of a bonus point meant Mowden slipped back below Esher and were also overtaken by Rosslyn Park, who won away to champions Richmond.

Middlesbrough ensured home advantage in their promotion play-off against Malton and Norton tomorrow when they beat Hartlepool Rovers 31-0.

The bonus point was crucial as it meant Boro finished with one more than Malton, who completed their Yorkshire One programme with a 43-22 home win against Hullensians.

The first try came from a stolen line-out ball. The forwards drove on and when a penalty was awarded Ash Kearney dived over.

Mike Thornburn, Iain Bradford and Miles Colvin all made ground before the ball was spun wide for Ben Wood to score the second after 35 minutes.

Three minutes later, Conner Foley pounced on a loose ball and fed Joe Gaudie, who had a relatively easy run-in. Matthew Todd's second conversion made it 19-0 at half-time.

With the wind behind them, Rovers applied a lot of pressure, which they failed to convert.

Sam Gaudie had been named on the bench ahead of his appearance for North Under-20s at the divisional festival. But his introduction reinvigorated Boro’s attacking play.

His half break allowed him to pop the ball to Euan Tremlett, who scored the bonus point try. Then Boro took a ball against the head and another break by Gaudie launched an attack featuring Rob Bellerby and Wood before Thornburn finished it off.

Back row man Peter Dent scored a hat-trick as Durham City finished with a 38-6 win at Gosforth. Bradley Pears (2) and Howard Johnson also touched down and Paul Armstrong added four conversions. Durham and Northumberland League secretary Bill Scott presented City with the champions' trophy.

Stockton came back from 8-0 down with four tries to lead 20-8 at Gateshead, but finally had to settle for a 20-20 draw.

Teenage scrum half Tom Brown equalled his father Simon's 20-year tally of one first team try when he sniped over on his debut.

Lock Todd Highfield finished a series of forward drives, No 8 Karl Hopkin also drove over, then on the stroke of half-time flanker Charlie Doherty weaved his way over.

The speedy Gateshead threequarters earned tries through wingers Connor Anderson and Matty Banning, plus full back Scott Cartner, who added a penalty and a conversion.

Stockton have a rearranged game at home to Gosforth this week. The 2pm kick-off will be preceded by a minute's silence for former chairman of selectors Ron Jackson, who died on Saturday.

Barnard Castle made sure of the division two title in emphatic style with 106-3 home win against bottom club Houghton. They still have to visit Bishop Auckland this week and entertain North Shields, but there will be nothing at stake.