IT was a case of Groundhog Day in the Blaydon dressing room at half-time of Saturday's clash with Leicester Lions, according to director of rugby Nick Gandy.

Leading 13-10, the North-East side had dominated proceedings without really stamping their authority on the game, a hallmark of some recent outings in National League Three North.

But after a few well-chosen words, Blaydon turned possession into points after the break and ran out convincing 48-10 winners.

"We had controlled virtually all the possession and had been in their half for most of the first half," said Gandy. "But it was like in other weeks where we haven't got over the line or converted our chances.

"It was a bit like Groundhog Day, where you just have to say the same things every week. Against everyone we have played we have been by far the better side, bar one or two occasions, and we just haven't been able to convert our opportunities.

"One of the lads said as we were coming off 'how are these guys still in the game?' which was fair comment. In the second half we got a few lucky breaks and things went our way and we scored a lot of points unanswered."

The result was doubly sweet for fourth-placed Blaydon when the news came in that Bradford and Bingley, in second, had slipped up at Fylde.

"Bradford and Bingley losing was good news for us," said Gandy, whose under-strength side still retains hope of promotion. "Considering we are missing quite a few of our first-choice players through injury, the guys who have come in have done very well. For example, Andrew Fenby scored two tries and has never played senior rugby before.

"We have been playing well in the last few weeks without taking our opportunities, the difference was that for 40 minutes on Saturday we did."

Blaydon face Darlington Mowden Park next week, and despite, or perhaps because of, their heavy defeat at the hands of third-bottom Cleckheaton at the weekend, Gandy is expecting a tough encounter.

"We have played them twice already this year and we have won both times, but we haven't been very convincing doing it, although we are probably a considerably better side in my estimation," said Gandy. "But it's a derby and they will come out ready for it. They always want to beat us. Our focus is on treating every one on the same level and not getting drawn into derby battles, but invariably it happens."

Mowden conceded 31 points at home to Cleckheaton, scoring just five in reply in a match that witnessed two yellow cards and a sending off for Tim Visser, given his marching orders for kicking out at rival captain Mark Billington.

Mowden also lost South African fly-half Johann Booysen to a head-high tackle.

They went behind when, after David Sinclair, was yellow-carded Cleckheaton kicked the penalty towards the corner and Lance Hamilton was driven over. Chris Quinn converted.

The home side went further behind when Cleckheaton were awarded a penalty try, the conversion making it 14-0.

Quinn increased the score to 17-0 before Mowden were sparked into life, Gavin Stainsby driven over after a quick penalty.

However, when Visser was ordered to take an early bath, whatever fight Mowden possessed, evaporated.

Ian Gordon added to Mowden's woes and Oliver Hamilton scored a fourth try to ensure a bonus point for Cleckheaton. Quinn converted both.

Fifth-placed Darlington answered player/coach Craig Lee's call for a comprehensive victory over New Brighton, finishing 34-15 victors.

Frankie Coulson grabbed two first-half tries with Lee Davies converting both.

Leading 17-10 going into the second period, prop Paul Shepherd increased the margin and then Ben Snook and Simon Crozier got in on the act.

Two tries in the first ten minutes set the tone for West Hartlepool's victory over Durham City.

Paul Moss opened the scoring on three minutes. A maul moved play inside the Durham 22 and a Dave Tighe break and a Carlo Robinson charge drew in defenders leaving Moss to capitalise on the resulting overlap.

He converted himself from a tricky position on the left.

Three minutes later, Peter Hodgson broke clear in his own half and fed Thomas who raced 40 metres to score. Moss converted from under the posts to make it 14-0.

Martin Todd picked up a loose pass in stride, before drawing his man to put Chris Lambert away to score in the corner. Moss notched the conversion.

When West had a player sin-binned, City took advantage from a scrum and Walker outpaced his opposite number Thomas to touchdown in the corner. The conversion was pulled wide.

Hartlepool Rovers ran out 29-21 winners over Stockton.

Stockton took the lead through a Tom Jeffreys' try but it did not last long, Ben Cushlow scoring an individual effort.

Foreman converted and replicated the feat after Michael Walton scored.

Jeremy Good scored two penalties prior to the break and added another shortly afterwards for Stockton.

However, Rovers ran over the tryline twice in quick succession through Steve Wallis and Phil Hall.

Jared Stevens added to the advantage, before Brett Wildridge reduced the deficit for Stockton, Peter Armstrong successful with the conversion.

Sunderland had the perfect response to their Powergen Cup defeat last week, scoring 42 unanswered points at home to Ashington.

Tony Irwin (two), Dan Abraham (two), Ed Britton, Matt Goforth and Richie Holbrough all scored tries, while Holbrough also notched a penalty and a conversion. Phillips was successful with another conversion.