Rovers 3rds were bolstered by Milky and Connor White crying on just as we were leaving which made up for a couple of players going missing. Tyrone was still wrestling with the complexity of buying a mouth guard so was left to make his own way to Darlo. Being late he got the worst fitting shirt and had to play in the back row instead of scrum half.

Mowden looked a big capable side but we certainly matched them when the game kicked off. The ball was greasy and we made the best progress when keeping the ball tight with some good drives and crash balls. The half settled into a very close and gripping encounter with both sides having chances but being kept out by the other's firm defence. Rovers looked as if they might score when Matty Lidster turned the Mowden defence with a little grubber kick to the opposition line but Mowden managed to scramble the ball clear. Then Matty Dixon contested an up and under from Daz and looked as if he was away but was just robbed of possession. We did think we might have made it to half time level but a series of penalties took us back to our line where the Mowden hooker (and captain, and kicker for touch and goal and thrower in) drove over for a try. He missed the conversion though.

HT Mowden Park 5 - 0 Rovers

We lined up for the 2nd half with the intention of keeping up the standards of the first but quickly failed. Paddy took the kick off well but no-one supported him. he was knocked to the floor where Mowden won the ball and some poor tackling allowed one of their players to run through our defence for a very quick try. This lifted Mowden and they scored not long afterwards with some fierce driving to the line. This try was converted and they led 17-0. When they scored another following a straightforward moving of the ball along the line to stretch their lead to 22-0 it looked like we could be in for a rough time. The lads rallied though and Danny Cookland made ground before Davy Carroll crashed over to pull us back to 22-5. Even when the Mowden winger went over right on the touch flag and just grounded the ball despite a fine tackle from Kieran Wright we were still up for the battle. Paddy, Connor White and Freeman exchanged fijiesque off loads to gain ground before Daz received the ball and put Paul Miller into space with a beautifully timed pass. Paul's angle of run took him past the Mowden defence for the best try of the game. Daz added the extras to bring us to 27-12 with 5 minutes left. Mowden showed how seriously they were treating a possible come back when they were awarded a penalty and had no hesitation in going for goal to use up time. The successful kick put them 30-12 ahead and that is how the score stayed

FT Mowden Park 30 - 12 Rovers

Congratulations to Mowden Park who are cup holders and advance to the next round. They deserved their victory but apart from a daft 20 minute spell in the second half we fronted up well and gave them a tough game.

There were many positives to take from the match. The spirit and commitment was excellent and everyone got a decent run out. Danny Cookland had his first appearance of the season, did very well and will be a positive addition to the club's playing strength. As will Kieran Wright who is available now after moving back to the town from Blackburn. Keiran tackled and ran well and looks to be a hard little winger. He is a bit like Bubbles but less hassle! Ste Railton seems to have discovered a knack of running over players rather than round them. Milky had his best game I have seen him play this season and Matty Lidster was also prominent. Our back row of Tyrone, Freeman and Paddy were all over with Paddy possibly being the most prominent.

Danny Baxter is now the only undefeated captain in the club

Squad - S Railton, Hewitt, Sewell, Miller, Dixon, Daz, Milky, Ross, Lidster, Carroll, Saunders (c), Healey, O' Callaghan, Church, Lane,

Interchanges (all used) - Cookland, Leak, White, Addison, Wright

The Heughers were due to play Thirsk 2nds in the TVL cup next week but Thirsk have conceded the tie and, coincidentally, will play our 3rds in a league game instead