THE freezing weather affected the local rugby programme, but Blaydon must have been wishing the deep freeze had reached Cambridgeshire.

The North-East outfit were thumped 45-7 in National League One and have slipped to eighth position in the table.

Blaydon’s only try came in the 47th minute, with skipper Matt Hall slipping in Gavin Jones to score from a midfield break.

Andrew Baggett added a conversion.

Tynedale are a place below Blaydon in the National League One table after suffering a 31-15 home defeat at the hands of London Scottish.

The Exiles rattled up 31 unanswered points as Tynedale were blown away on their home turf, but the Corbridge-based hosts salvaged a modicum of pride late on. Flanker Jonny Cousin scored two tries, with full-back Sep Visser also crossing.

West Hartlepool moved to within a point of leaders Percy Park at the top of North One East as they cruised to a 34-0 win over Old Brodleians.

Durham City are seventh after a narrow 26-24 success at Driffield, while Newcastle-based Team Northumbria recorded a 28-23 win over Old Crossleyans.

Gateshead extended their lead in Durham/Northumberland Division One with a comprehensive 43-3 win at Stockton.

Second-placed Darlington’s game against Wallsend was postponed because of a frozen pitch, so the club’s players watched Gateshead ahead of the February 12 meeting that is likely to determine the race for the title.