Crisis looming for Darlington Mowden Park

More financial losses were reported at the AGM last week, then a run of six games without a point culminated in a 74-0 thrashing away to National One leaders Hartpury.

Mowden are four points ahead of the three clubs sharing bottom spot and desperately need to take advantage of some slightly easier fixtures.

They must start by ending their recent try drought against an Esher side who have conceded 77 points in their last two games. After that comes a trip to Fylde, who are also just above Mowden.

Former Newcastle centre Luke Eves scored the first of Hartpury's 11 tries as the professional outfit built a 29-0 interval lead. Despite fielding three more reinforcements in Warren Seals, Luca Petillo and Doncaster prop Joe Sproston, Mowden were beaten in the tight and had little ball to work with.

Blaydon are looking forward to the visit of Mowden the week before Christmas as they seek a way out of the northern-dominated relegation scrap.

They played well to build a 12-3 lead early in the second half, only to lose 38-17 at home to Plymouth.

The score was 17-17 with 20 minutes left when the slide started after Blaydon had driven a maul 20 metres to the line. They lost possession and Plymouth ran the length of the field to score.

Jason Smithson drove over from a tap penalty for Blaydon's first half try, then shortly after the break full back Max Connon made a break and sent winger Dan Marshall racing over. The third try came when scrum half Ruaridh Dawson capitalised on a forward drive to beat four men.

Tynedale are looking comfortable in mid-table in Two North after fly half Dan Taylor landed his fourth penalty in the 80th minute to snatched a 26-25 win at South Leicester.

With No 8 Scott Powell prominent, Tynedale scored tries through hooker Jamie Blamire and Jack Outson, both converted by Taylor.

Billingham avoided a hat-trick of defeats in Three North with a 32-28 home win against Sandal. Flanker Dan Burns touched down twice, the other tries coming from Elliott Husband and scrum half Chris Dobson. Peter Evans added three conversions and two penalties.

North One East leaders West Hartlepool were made to battle for a 20-14 home win against Morpeth.

Durham City gave their survival hopes a big boost by moving above hosts Malton and Norton with a 22-17 win. Although it took them into mid-table they are only two points above the third relegation spot.

Guisborough still look doomed, despite a 31-10 home win against the only team below them, Wheatley Hills.

Middlesbrough slipped further off the pace in Durham and Northumberland One when they allowed a 22-3 lead to become a 27-22 defeat at Consett.

Although Peter Homan was at centre on his return from Mowden, the expected appearance of Sean Richardson at fly half did not materialise.

After two tries by flanker Tom Symon and one by winger Adam Nolson, with Matthew Todd adding the goal points, it began to go wrong when centre Michael Thornburn incurred a second yellow card for lying on the ball.

Consett were also awarded a penalty try at that point and shortly afterwards Symon was sin-binned. Boro were unable to hold out with 13 men.

After their slow start, relegated Westoe pose the biggest threat to leaders Barnard Castle. They are three points behind after a 32-16 home win against Medicals.

Injury-hit Gateshead drew 15-15 at home to Northern, courtesy of five penalties by full back Scott Cartner.

Ryton, also beset by injuries, have been cut adrift in what otherwise threatens to be a tough relegation scrap, losing 76-0 at Stockton, who moved out of the bottom three.

Twelve tries and eight conversions made it four wins out of the last five games for Stockton, who led 22-0 at half-time.

Steven Bartliff kicked the conversions and scored two tries, as did Steve and Charlie Doherty. All the points were scored by players aged 26 or under.