The visitors made a bright start, but it was Hayman who gave his side an eighth-minute lead, a trademark monstrous maul seeing the hooker shunted over from eight metres out.

Fraser Honey’s touchline conversion just drifted wide, but the skipper doubled his tally five minutes later, a strong pick-and-go from close range ending with him over the whitewash.

This time Honey was on target, and another maul led to the third try, replacement Morgan MacRae this time the beneficiary.

Rams continued to play some attractive rugby while suffocating their rivals in defence, the bonus-point try brought up with the final play of the first period as some slick handling sent Zach Clow over on the left.

The visitors struck back shortly after the break, Will Jones riding a close-range set-piece over the line, but Rams came again and after DMP centre Garry Law was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on, MacRae then bagged a debut brace before Honey slotted a simple conversion.

Mowden Park hit back with a carbon copy of MacRae’s second, Oscar Usher smashing his way through for Harry Read to add the extras.

Any doubts of a comeback were halted with a sixth score, another replacement, Olise Monye playing out of position on the left wing but diving over for Honey to land a magnificent kick.

Park’s Alfie Barron was yellow carded for a high tackle, and there was still time for Hayman to cap a fairytale first game in charge, another maul finishing things off with a minute remaining.

Final Score: Rams 41-12 Darlington Mowden Park (HT 22-0)

Scorers

Rams

Tries: Hayman 8, 13, 79, MacRae 25, 55, Clow 39, Monye 67

Conversions: Honey 14, 56, 68

Darlington Mowden Park

Tries: Jones 44, Usher 59

Conversion: Read 60

Star Man: Max Hayman (Rams)

Referee: Tim Allatt

Attendance: 798

Rams