Match report Sunday 1st November Friendly
Darlington made the long trip down the A1 on a wet, windy morning with an unbeaten record to defend for the season so far. Despite missing a couple of key players on County duty, the visitors came to the match after some big wins but they came up against a resurgent Old Rishworthians who have put a couple of losses behind them, regrouped and continued their winning start to the season.

As the game kicked off, the rain cleared but Rish had the benefit of a strong wind behind them which they used to their full advantage in the first half with some good kicking establishing field positions which the forwards could build on.

The game started with Old Rishworthians taking the game to Darlington and it wasn't long before their pressure paid off with Kelly slotting over a penalty after a Darlington infringement. The early set back seemed to galvanise Darlington and they went straight back at the home side with some strong play forcing a series of penalties. A mistake in their 22 by Rish saw the visitors move the ball wide and with support from their forwards, the visitors bundled over for a scrappy try which went unconverted.

At 3-5 down Rish took the game straight back to Darlington and reasserted their dominance in the forwards. Rish' scrum was undoing Darlington with Illingworth winning balls against the head and the pack driving their opponents back. Dominance at the set pieces allowed the backs the opportunity to run the ball creating two or three clear chances for further points. Hard work finally paid off with Ledgard making a trademark jinking run through the Darlington back line for an excellent try. The wind conspired against Kelly and the score went unconverted.

With their tails up, the home team continued to pressurise Darlington in their own half and taking advantage of the wind, Kelly slotted over his second penalty. Ledgard stepped up to take a longer range penalty as the half came to a close and with the ball coming back off a post, Fowles was first to react but wasn't able to capitalise on the chance.

Half Time: Rishworthians 11 - 5 Darlington

The weather certainly played a part in this game and as the second half started, the wind dropped and the sun came out depriving Darlington of a second half wind advantage. In truth, Rish were the stronger team and despite the occasional threat from a fast running wing, Darlington never looked like crossing the home side's line.

Rish on the other hand, dominated possession in most phases of play and should have started to build a lead that secured a convincing win. As it was, the half went without a score until the last quarter of the match.

After continuous pressure by Old Rishworthians and some good defending by Darlington, Rish eventually secured a penalty which Ledgard slotted over to extend the lead to nine points. The game was looking safe at this point but from the kick off, the Rish forwards gave a penalty away in front of the posts which Darlington converted easily to close the gap again.

This made for a nervy final five minutes which Rish played in their opponents half but the threat of a breakaway was always present as Darlington fought hard for the ball. The contest was marred by an injury to Ledgard in the last minute but Old Rishworthians ended the match as deserved winners.

Final Score: Rishworthians 14 - 8 Darlington

Man of the Match: G Hayes

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Team
	1. Fowles	2. Illingworth	3. Thomson
6. Hope-Collins				7. Broadbent
	4. Brierley		5. Collett
		8. Higginbottom
9. Cowey
	10. LedgardT P
		12. Kelly P2
			13. Watkins
11. Mansell				14. Bottomley
		15. Hayes
Subs
Mudd	Smart