BOTH Darlington clubs lost again last weekend and find themselves in the bottom four of National Three North after two games as they prepare for tomorrow's Powergen Cup first round ties.

Darlington have to go back to Rugby Lions, where they lost their opening league game, and they will be glad the cup tie marks the end of Martin Howe's three-week suspension as he was again missed in the 33-7 home defeat by Blaydon.

After enjoying several good runs in the national cup in recent years, Darlington Mowden Park will need to improve if they are to win at Cleckheaton.

The promoted West Yorkshire club followed up their opening day victory at Mowden with another league win against Fylde last week, while Mowden lost 30-18 at Tynedale.

Under the new system, Mowden do at least have one point for losing by fewer than seven to Cleckheaton, but Darlington have none.

They beat Blaydon at home last season, but were never in the game this time as they faced a strong wind in the first half and trailed 26-0 at the interval. It became 33-0 before new centre Andrew Turner scored a try, which he also converted.

With a trip to Bedford Athletic to come next week, followed by Dudley Kingswinford away in the next league match a fortnight later, it is again proving to be a tough start for Darlington.

With three 19-year-old newcomers in the side, it is bound to take time for them to get used to this level, and the same applies to former skipper David Glendenning, who made his first national league start at full back.

They had little answer to the class of Blaydon fly half Dan Clappison, who scored two tries and kicked four conversions, while centre Nick Wainwright also scored twice.

Blaydon played well, kicking for the corners downwind and retaining possession, while Darlington tried to run the ball with little success when they had the benefit of the wind in the second half.

With their clearances not finding touch, Darlington were soon under pressure and after a high ball into the 22 Blaydon broke away on the blind side from a ruck to send Clappison over after 12 minutes.

Darlington then had their best spell, but after 26 minutes Clappison chipped ahead following a line-out and the ball bounced kindly for Wainwright to race on to and score.

Then the other centre, Luke Wattam, did well to hold a poor pass and find winger Simon Barber, who went round his marker to score. Clappison converted from the touchline.

Just before half-time Wainwright broke and found former Mowden hooker Matt Hall outside him. He was hauled down ten metres short, but popped the ball up for Clappison to finish the move.

Shortly after half-time Wainwright read a Darlington attack and intercepted before racing 70 metres to score.

Turner's try for Darlington came after lock Richard Snowball took a quick penalty, but although Blaydon kept infringing under pressure there was no further reward.

Tynedale chose to play into the wind against Mowden, who again dominated for long spells without turning pressure into points. They brought in Jonny Golightly at fly half for his first game for two years after a knee operation and he did well until he ran out of steam and was replaced by South African Michael Georgiou.

Mark Bedworth was selected at full back, with Iain Dixon on the wing, while Tom McLaren started at No 8 with Paul Evans switching to lock.

It was all Mowden in the first quarter, but they couldn't break down a resolute defence. A loose pass was picked up by Tynedale and on their first visit to the Mowden half Phil Belgian put them ahead with a penalty.

Bedworth replied and Mowden stayed on top, but then Tynedale broke away and a penalty was conceded under the posts, which Belgian missed.

As Tynedale came more into the game it was obvious they were the more dangerous attackers and they scored a brilliant try in the corner through full back Will Massey after the ball went along the line twice.

Belgian converted, but Bedworth reduced the gap to 10-6 with a penalty in the last minute of the first half.

Poor tackling allowed Tynedale to score straight after the break through prop Peter Southern, then Mowden sent on Tongans Tanginoa Fosita and Beni Fakalelu for flanker Matt Wright and prop Dave Sinclair.

When Mowden were awarded a penalty ten metres out the hosts expected them to go for touch, but skipper Richard Holbrough took a quick tap and fed Fakalelu, who charged over.

At 15-11 after 57 minutes Mowden were back in it, but three minutes later Tynedale cut them open with the first of two tries by replacement centre Jake White.

Mowden switched winger Andy Foreman to scrum half and found more spark, leading to a late converted try for Bedworth.

Mowden have lost utility man Chris Strong to Barnard Castle and he helped them to a 24-21 win at Blyth