This was the first time for many seasons that the two sides had met and from the start it was apparent that unless Darlington could win ball from the much bigger Park pack, their backs would struggle. The tone for the game was set early on when Stu Denny crashed over for the opening try after a catch and drive from a line out close to the visitors line.
The juggernaut Park pack, with the front row averaging 20 stone a man, dominated the scrummage and won a penalty try after Darlington were ajudged to have collapsed the scrum on their line as it seemed certain that No8 Brett Sylph was to touch down. Brett converted to take the score to 12 - 0.
Liam Casey playing in the centre rather than full back scored a fine individual try breaking through 3 tackles to score under the posts and Brett Sylph duly converted as the referee blew for half time.
The cold biting wind kept many supporters viewing from the sanctuary of the clubhouse, but the rugby was entertaining and warmed the hearts of the home supporters that braved the elements. Park's pack were so dominant that a catch and drive from a line out on the Darlington 10 metre line saw the ball driven up to the visitors line, and as the maul collapsed and the defence spread out, former club captain Chris Dunn powered over to score.
Park's new boys Andy Rickerby and Chris Dalton at blind side and scrum half respectively showed that it wont be long before they are in contention for first team places. It was Andy who made the next try with a seering break through a forest of players in midfield, and he was off up the pitch with the Darlington defence in hot pursuit. On the visitors 22 he realised that he was about to be caught but had the presence of mind to look up and put in an inch perfect cross field kick which allowed Liam Casey to score under the posts. Brett Sylph kept his 100 percent kicking record on the day and converted.
Andy Dunn, having run touch for most of the game, came on in the back row for the last 15 minutes and proved that anything older brother Chris could do he could do better. Andrew finished off another controlled drive from a line out scoring the penultimate Park try of the day. The last home try, and arguably the best was scored by Michael Langlands playing in the second row rather than his accustomed position in the back row. Liam Casey rather than taking his usual jinking route to the line decided to kick to the corner. His spooned kick resembled a shanked golf shot, but Brett Sylph jumped and tapped the ball back in field preventing the ball from going dead and Michael Langland cleaned up the loose ball and beat the covering defence to score.
Darlington managed a consolation try right on full time to take the final score to 41 - 5. This performance will give the selectors something to think about before the Durham City game next Saturday. The front five were totally dominant and the back row very effective.