Darlington Mowden Park exacted revenge for their recent North Division Three league defeat by coming from behind to beat Blaydon 22-18 and earn a semi-final place in the Durham Senior Cup.

Skipper Billy McKinnon was Mowden's hero as he scored two tries as the visitors overcame a strong first-half performance by Blaydon in which scrum half Andy Foreman scored a hat-trick of unconverted tries.

By the interval Mowden were back in it through Jonny Boatman's try, converted by Mark Bedworth, and after the interval Blaydon several penalties which ended with Chris Mattison putting McKinnon clear to score the first of his tries.

Blaydon then tried to run the ball from their own line but knocked on and Kevan Oliphant's long pass saw McKinnon touch down his second try, Bedworth adding the conversion.

Iain Dixon kicked a penalty for Blaydon as the tension increased, but Bedworth's late penalty saw Mowden into the semi-finals.

A weakened Darlington side saw their hopes of promotion from Division Three North take a severe blow as they were comfortably beaten 36-0 by relegation-threatened Bradford and Bingley.

Darlington now have to rely on rivals Hull Ionians slipping up badly to realise their promotion dreams.

Bradford took a 7-0 lead and after Craig Lee's penalty hit the post for Darlington, the home side were never in danger.

In North Two East, a try from returning skipper Alan Brown, following a two-month lay-off through injury, set Stockton on their way to a 34-10 home victory over second-bottom Old Crossleyans.

Tries from veteran David Turner, who also scored two conversions, winger Simon Crozier, Nicky Poole (2), and centre Nicky Walters wrapped up the convincing win.

Billingham are into the final of the Durham County Intermediate Cup following their 35-18 semi-final triumph over West Hartlepool TDSOB.

Bishop Auckland ended their six-match losing streak with a 31-10 victory at home to Wearside in the Durham and Northumberland third division.

Tries from John and Blanch, plus a Blanch penalty, gave Bishops a 17-point lead in the first ten minutes but they failed to build on their advantage and the visitors opened the second half with a converted try.

Minutes later Sayer ran from deep and this time found ample support from Atkinson and Layfield, the latter touching down under the posts for Blanch to convert.

Wearside added a penalty before Ramrattan made the break to send Oxley over from 70 metres, Blanch adding the extra points.

Bishops II lost 36-12 away to Middlesbrough in the Tees Valley Social League, Lee Clements scoring two tries for Bishops, Colin Hamilton adding a conversion.