BLAYDON surged clear of the National One relegation zone when a second half try spree took them to a 40-14 home win against Henley.

Zach Kibirige played a big part after switching from wing to full back and there was a ten-minute cameo from another Yarm School product, Ben Stevenson.

Making his senior debut, the 17-year-old Newcastle Falcons Academy centre scored with his first touch, showing electrifying pace from 30 metres.

That was one of four tries in ten minutes after Blaydon spent 50 minutes grinding down opponents known for running out of steam.

Kibirige's switch saw another youngster, James Cooney, come off the bench on to the wing and they linked up with deadly effect, Kibirige scoring once and Cooney twice.

Blaydon relied on the usual Jason Smithson catch-and-drives for their first half tries, but they led only 13-9 shortly after half-time.

Lock Chris Wearmouth finished off forward pressure before the backs took the try tally to seven, of which Andrew Baggett converted one to add to his early penalty.

The win moved Blaydon up two places but was marred by the tenth-minute dismissal of dual-registered Falcons lock Will Witty, who floored the visiting No 8 in retaliation. Both saw red and Henley lost another key back row man in former Blaydon flanker Rob Bell, who was injured early in the second half.

Blaydon skipper Keith Laughlin went on for the last 15 minutes after captaining England Counties the previous evening. He played the full game at Gala other than his ten minutes in the sin bin, which proved a turning point as his team crashed to a 57-27 defeat.

The Counties also play France at Bleackheath on Friday week and Blaydon will hope Laughlin is again available the following day, when they have another rearranged match at home to Loughborough Students.

On a day when they fielded four teams to maintain their support of county cups, Blaydon seconds won 100-0 at home to Westoe, the thirds won narrowly at Consett and the fourths lost to Winlaton seconds.

Tynedale continue to flirt with relegation in National Two North following a third successive loss.

Their 26-24 defeat against Luctonians was their second on the trot by fellow strugglers at their temporary home of Kingston Park.

As against Broadstreet they paid for the absence of Ash Smith as goal-kicking made the difference. After kicking two penalties, Matty Outson missed a simple conversion before handing over to Rob Parker, who also landed a penalty.

But the last-minute conversion which would have earned a draw was sliced from under the posts.

The visitors dominated the first half to lead 16-6, but a chip-and-chase try by winger Parker helped Tynedale to a 19-16 lead.

They had fallen 26-19 behind, however, by the time full back Dan Marshall scored his second try, which proved enough only for a losing bonus point.

Darlington became the first club in the country to concede 1,000 league points this season when their best chance of a win, at home to Ponteland, brought a 19th straight defeat. The visitors won 28-14 and are now only a point behind Medicals in second bottom spot in Durham and Northumberland One.

Promotion from division two is almost in the bag for Barnard Castle after a hard-fought 7-3 win at Hartlepool, their chief rivals for most of the season. Barney are now two points clear with two games in hand.