Luis has a Ball as Stortford win dourest battle

By JOHN ALLANSON

Bishop's S…………… 13 Darlington MP……… 6

THE freezing cold conditions made handling difficult and, as far as could be discerned from the touchline through the thick fog, this was a dour battle between two sides sitting next to each other in the lower reaches of the league, each desperate for points!

The spoils went primarily to Stortford, due largely to an early try to Alex Rayment, bursting down the narrow side of a ruck close to the Darlington Mowden Park 22 to crash over out wide. Connor Lloyd converted well from out wide to give the home side some early momentum.

Darlington's backs were more incisive than their home counterparts on a few occasions, but were unable to prise a final, decisive opening.

With star man Luis Ball taking the lead, Stortford managed to control possession for long periods and determined first-half defence restricted the visitors to a penalty goal by Corben Ollivent after 10 minutes. Lloyd replied in kind eight minutes later.

The visitors enjoyed the bulk of both possession and territory in the second half, but once again, stout Stortford defence generally came out on top.

Each side had to content itself with a further penalty goal, with Lloyd successful after with minutes and Ollivent 32 minutes later, to secure the visitors a deserved losing bonus point.

REFEREE: Adam Wookey

ATTENDANCE: 350

Star man

Luis Ball Bishop's Stortford