AS they attempt to hang on to a very creditable fifth place in National One, Darlington Mowden Park will have to send a patched-up side to Blaydon tomorrow.

After last Saturday's 27-13 home win against Esher, the season's finale at home to relegated Cinderford next week offers a good chance to bow out on a high. But first Mowden will be wary of a Blaydon backlash.

They beat the Tynesiders 51-11 at the Northern Echo Arena in December, following which a fan reported the visiting hooker, Victor Guignouard, to the RFU for allegedly abusing a ball boy.

The Frenchman was apparently shocked to be banned for seven weeks and will not play again this season.

The incident seems likely to add further spice to Blaydon's revenge mission and they rested several players last week, a luxury injury-hit Mowden could not afford.

They have been unable to field a second team for the last month and the shortage of backs increased on Saturday when fly half Warren Seals suffered a knee injury.

The impressive South African was given a warm ovation by appreciative fans when he was carried off after 26 minutes. He is the third goal-kicking No 10 to be injured this season following Grant Connon and Garry Law.

After Seals converted two early tries and added a penalty for a 17-0 lead against Esher, it wasn't until eight minutes from time that Mowden nailed down the win with their third try.

The visitors got on top in mid-match, especially with Mowden twice down to 14 men.

Skipper Gareth Nesbit was sin-binned following a minor spat five minutes after half-time, Darren Fearn going on for the next scrum and staying on for the rest of the game.

With Luca Petillo having suffered another broken thumb, Rory Duff took the chance to shine at open side and Ali Bone was a forceful presence deputising for injured No 8 Olly Hodgson.

Mowden were ahead after 90 seconds. They drove a line-out from halfway, Simon Uzokwe broke off and rode a tackle to reach the 22 before the ball was moved right and winger Jake Henry appeared outside Seals to burst under the posts.

After six minutes, hooker Santi Socino charged to the right corner before the ball was moved left and Talite Vaioleti went under the posts.

Mowden lost their impetus after Seals' injury, although it gave Callum Mackenzie the chance to show his worth at centre, with Chris Auld switching to fly half.

Esher scored just before half-time and the penalty which followed Nesbit's yellow card made it 17-8, but Mowden survived the rest of the 10 minutes with 14 men and the left-footed Auld casually stroked over a 30-metre penalty.

After Taioleti was sin-binned for pulling down a maul, Esher opted for a scrum, which took up almost three minutes because of re-sets before they moved the ball out to score on the right wing.

Mowden sent on Bruno Bravo at scrum half, with Matt Walsh switching to full back, and he scored the decisive try.

It followed a strong line-out drive before a turn of pace from Mackenzie took him outside his marker and he off-loaded for Walsh's well-timed run to take him clear. Auld converted to complete the scoring.

With ex-Mowden men Cameron Mitchell, Jack Allcock and Sam Stuart almost ever-present, Richmond clinched the automatic promotion spot with a 33-29 win away to Hartpury College.

It was confirmed that Middlesbrough will have to settle for the promotion play-off place in Durham and Northumberland One when they lost 32-6 at home to Durham City.

It was 8-6 with 20 minutes left, but Boro’s young side were unable to sustain the effort in a mudbath and must now win their final match at home to Hartlepool Rovers tomorrow to ensure home advantage in the play-off against Malton and Norton.

City's bigger pack coped better with the barely playable conditions, advancing through driving the mauls.

Darlington will have their final chance to record a win when they entertain Novos tomorrow.

They did at least pick up two bonus points, lifting them off zero, in a 24-18 defeat away to the other relegated club, Ponteland.

Darlington are appealing for help to run what they expect to be their biggest junior festival for several years on April 30 and May 1. More than 80 teams have entered.