DARLINGTON Mowden Park could be offered the chance to “buddy up” with Newcastle Falcons next season if RFU plans are given the go-ahead.

The main aim is for financially-strapped Championship clubs who have no interest in promotion to utilise up to 12 under-used players from a Premiership club, plus academy youngsters.

But the plan could be extended to National One clubs, with Mowden being prime candidates to link up with Newcastle if they are the only North-East club above National Two North.

Also, Yorkshire Carnegie are unlikely to be interested in the arrangement as they have Premiership aspirations.

Tynedale show little sign of being promoted back to National One, despite the 22-15 away win which left Harrogate in danger of relegation on Saturday.

With fly half Dave Doherty scoring all their points, Harrogate led 15-7 with 15 minutes left but were hit by two tries in quick succession from full back Ash Smith and winger Jonny Mock.

Lock Graeme Dunn scored Tynedale's other try from a line-out, with Smith adding a penalty and two conversions.

Billingham remain sixth in Three North after a try by Matty Kirby set them on the way to a 14-8 win at Waterloo. In the absence of the Evans brothers, scrum half Dan Finney kicked the conversions.

Pocklington drew level with West Hartlepool at the top of North One East when West lost 14-13 at Driffield.

Leading 8-7 following a try by Eldon Myers, West looked to have clinched it when flanker Carl Miller finished a late forward drive.

Crucially, however, the conversion hit a post and when West were penalised on the restart they conceded a further ten metres for backchat.

Driffield kicked to the corner and drove over for a converted try. There was still time for Gavin Painter to attempt a kick at goal from wide on the left, but it drifted wide. He also missed a penalty in the first half prior to his one success.

Durham City, normally spoilt for choice in the backs, were so short that coach Mark Bedworth had to form a half back pairing with Nick Howe at Wheatley Hills. But the Doncaster club are already as good as relegated and City won 20-6.

Westoe moved clear at the top of Durham and Northumberland One, winning 13-7 at Gateshead while second-placed Northern lost 36-11 at Middlesbrough.

Boro improved their scrummaging and reduced their error count to produce some of their best rugby of the season, featuring some sterling defensive work by centre Peter Homan.

Full back Adam Nolson came into the line to finish a good move and pressure on the line brought a try for Euan Tremlett before a penalty by Matthew Todd stretched the 12-6 interval lead.

Northern came back with a try, but conceded a penalty try for collapsing a scrum. Boro forged ahead when Homan finished a good move and winger Sean Moloney weaved his way over from halfway.

With their two games in hand, Barnard Castle are still very much in the hunt after winning 20-13 at Gosforth, who conceded three first half tries after leading 7-0.

Barney responded to a drop goal after half-time with a penalty to lead 20-10, Gosforth opting to kick a late penalty to earn a bonus point.

Stockton produced a strong defensive display to win 7-0 at Hartlepool, who were well on top for the first 15 minutes and were battering at the line towards the end.

With Phil Austen and Mark Skirving back in the pack, Stockton gradually got on top in mid-match and scored the try after 50 minutes.

An attack up the left ended with full back Danny Phinn finding replacement winger Simon Crozier, who evaded several tackles to score. Steve Bartliff added a good conversion.