Darlington 12

Stockton 35

IN the wake of an announcement that Darlington RFC had reverted to being a totally amateur set-up came a demoralising defeat. But club chairman Mike Wilkinson insisted: “It's not all doom and gloom.

“All aspects of the club are now run by volunteers and there's a good feel around the place. We are going back to our roots as a community-based amateur sports club.”

Debts pre-dating Wilkinson's tenure have forced the belt-tightening with the loss of the clubhouse manageress being accompanied by the departure of the part-time groundsman.

But player-coach Gary Beck returned to action after a month's suspension over an internal matter and Wilkinson said: “He is working with us to ensure that overheads are kept down on the playing side.”

Beck's pre-season enthusiasm helped to ensure a good start, but cracks soon began to appear and the slide down the Durham and Northumberland division one table is gathering pace on Saturday's evidence.

Stockton had also faltered after their best start for several years, largely through having to make regular wholesale changes. This win does not necessarily put them back on track as they didn't have to play particularly well to ease home in a scrappy affair which was a far cry from more fiercely-contested derbies of the past.

At the time of Stockton's slide from their heady days in North One they lost half a team to Darlington, who were then gracing National Three North. Both clubs felt the financial strain and now have to be content with rubbing along together at this modest level.

Stockton benefit from being a family club, with nine of the team's fathers having played for the first XV, as did full back Jonny Horner's grandad.

While the planning stage is clearly disruptive, it is hoped that ground-sharing with Darlington FC will bring renewed prosperity to Blackwell Meadows.

There is already an amateur football team playing there and it is home to the archery club, while the thriving ladies' rugby section is a big help in keeping the bar and catering running.

Wilkinson added: “We are taking the opportunity to become leaner and ensure that, with our partners,we provide sporting facilities here for many years to come.”

Former skipper Richard Snowball's return to action proved sadly brief, but there is plenty of experience in the front row in the shape of current captain Paul Shepherd, Dan Miller and Rob Goddard.

No 8 Tom Wilkinson, who once had aspirations with Mowden Park, was also playing and there is some youthful talent in the backs. But nothing seemed to gel in a match which never threatened to flow, partly because the 21-year-old Yorkshire referee had to stick to the letter of the law to impress his assessor.

Stockton's experienced fly half Jeremy Good gave them a clear edge in the goal-kicking department and Darlington would have led at half-time had a simple penalty and conversion not been fluffed.

Stockton's early domination was helped by the referee handing Miller a ten-minute breather for interference at a line-out and Good landed two penalties and converted a try from wide on the right for a 13-5 lead.

The try resulted from flanker Joe Green breaking unhindered from a ruck in midfield to make 30 metres before sending Horner over.

Darlington cut the gap to 13-12 on the stroke of half-time when Miller barged over, the other try having stemmed from a good break by full back Jack Harrild, finished by winger Lewis Metcalfe.

But Stockton dominated the second half, starting when No 8 Jack Aldus scored the first of his two tries from a scrum.

The pace of Dan Phinn was then utilised as he made good ground before sending replacement flanker Martin Howe over. Phinn scored the final try with a blistering diagonal run from the right wing to go under the posts, providing the highlight of an easily forgettable encounter.