DARLINGTON Mowden Park's Tongan twosome proved an instant hit as they inspired a 31-18 win at home to Tynedale in National Three North.

No 8 Paino Kelekolio scored two tries in the first 25 minutes, and with skipper Mark Bedworth contributing 16 points from full back, Mowden were always in command.

Bedworth said: "It was just the start we needed, and once we knock off the rough edges we can do better.

"The new lads have been excellent and the Tongans are awesome with their speed and power. Our training has gone up 100 per cent."

Although Tynedale provided weaker opposition than expected, the tackling of centres Paul Boston and Barry Hills stifled Mowden in midfield, but Bedworth and fly half Kevan Oliphant kept the hosts going forward with excellent kicking to the corners.

New lock Chris Webb did well at the line-out, pinching a lot of ball on Tynedale's erratic throw-ins.

Paino opened the scoring after five minutes when he charged down a kick and skilfully scooped the ball up to touch down.

He crashed over for his second try in the 23rd minute, Bedworth's second conversion putting Mowden 14-3 ahead after Phil Belgian landed a penalty for Tynedale.

The much-travelled visiting fly half added a second penalty before both Tongans were involved in a 50-metre move, which sent in winger Chris Mattison for Mowden's third try.

Oliphant and Paino then combined to open a gap which Bedworth cruised through to score.

He he also landed a penalty inbetween tries for Tynedale by No 8 Jamie Murray and centre Boston, who touched down in injury time.

Among Mowden's rivals for promotion will be last season's runners-up, Dudley Kingswinford, who won 22-20 at Blaydon.

New fly half Jason Davies put Blaydon 9-0 up with three penalties but they trailed 19-9 at the interval and their fightback fell just short with Davies failing to land his sixth penalty in the last minute.

Former Mowden hooker Tasi Tuhana was driven over from a line-out for Blaydon's only try, while they conceded three tries in the first half.

Hartlepool Rovers dominated the first half hour of their friendly at Stockton and led 3-0 through a Phil Hall penalty.

But the hosts then took command and won 26-3.

Tries were scored by Simon Brown, Wayne Brown, Ian Todd and Lee Richardson, with Simon Moore adding three conversions.