BLAYDON felt they had played their best rugby for months at Loughborough on Saturday, only for their habit of fading to cost them dear.

They led 17-12 at half-time but conceded six second half tries to lose 52-34 and slip 12 points adrift of safety with the visit of Moseley to come this week.

With Brett Connon playing well at fly half until an injury forced him off, Blaydon's backs looked bright on the artificial pitch.

Impressive full back James Cooney came into the line to set up an early try for Tom Grimes, then Robbie Kalbraier finished a driving maul, Connon converting for a 14-0 lead.

Despite falling behind early in the second half, Blaydon kept battling and Newcastle Falcons lock Andrew Davidson capped a good display with a charge-down try.

They were also awarded a penalty try when going for a pushover and replacement Andrew Baggett sent out a long pass for skipper Keith Laughlin to score.

Tynedale conceded three tries in the first ten minutes on their way to a 37-28 home defeat by second-placed Sale in National Two North.

The restart after the first try was kicked out on the full and with most players heading back to the middle for a scrum Sale took a quick line-out and raced away to score.

After first half tries by Dan Taylor and Oli Walker and a penalty try shortly after the break the gap was down to one point. But Sale pulled away again and Tynedale had to be content with a four-try bonus when flanker Joe Mills scored. Ash Smith converted all the tries.

Billingham managed only a penalty try, converted by Dan Finney, in a 47-7 home defeat by Three North leaders Huddersfield.

West Hartlepool emerged from a first half scare at home to North One East strugglers Guisborough to romp to a 41-11 win and move a point clear at the top.

When visiting full back Christian Pollock added to his two penalties by racing almost the length of the field for an interception try Guisborough led 11-10 at the break.

But replacement centre Paul Moss had a big influence for West, his offload sending Greg Edwards under the posts before scoring himself.

Adam Coates grabbed a brace, West's other tries coming from Sam Miller, Carl Miller and Rob Thorn, with Zac Southern adding three conversions.

Durham City lost 22-18 at home to Penrith, underlining their improvement since going down 51-8 in the reverse fixture. It was 15-15 with ten minutes left before the visitors scored the decisive try.

Barnard Castle's promotion bid in Durham and Northumberland One was strengthened by a 29-8 home win against Hartlepool. With leaders Westoe losing 17-12 at home to Horden, Barney are only four points behind with two games in hand.

In the fierce scrap to avoid joining Ryton in the drop, Gateshead eased their worries with a 15-6 home win against Gosforth after trailing 6-3 at half-time.

Tries by scrum half Gary Archbald and flanker Glen Atkinson, plus a conversion by Adam Ridley, took Gateshead clear.

Novos gave themselves a lifeline with a 25-17 home win against Middlesbrough, whose mistakes began at the kick-off as they conceded an immediate try.

Although young Sam Seymour did well at scrum half and Euan Tremlett starred up front, Boro trailed 17-3 until Peter Homan burst through two tackles to score just before half-time.

They fell further behind through poor tackling before skipper Liam Wilson finished a good move, Matthew Todd again converting. With 15 minutes left they had a chance, but a late penalty sealed it for Novos.

Stockton overcame a lively start by visitors Consett to win 22-18, Sean Jones picking up at the back of a scrum to score one of their tries after replacing hamstring victim Phil Austen.

A slick backs move saw Dan Phinn send Steve Bartliff over for a 12-7 interval lead and penalties madfe it 15-13 before fly half Reece Cowley was prominent in a good backs move finished by Phinn. Bartliff converted from the left touchline, Consett grabbing a bonus point with a try two minutes from time.