BLAYDON are gearing up for a North-East top dogs showdown at home to Darlington Mowden Park in the final match of the season after narrowing the gap to one point in National One on Saturday.

While Blaydon recorded a third successive win in beating visitors Richmond 26-19, Mowden picked up two bonus points from a 29-27 defeat away to fourth-placed Blackheath.

After a blank day next Saturday the teams embark on a four-match run-in, culminating in their meeting at Crow Trees on April 25.

Blackheath were much stronger than in the reverse fixture in November, which Mowden won 50-10. Inspired by veteran fly half Gordon Ross, the Kent side scored two early tries to lead 12-0.

But a Grant Connon penalty sparked a revival and a neat move from a scrum enabled full back Henry Robinson to break through and score.

Then replacement centre Tom Hodgson gathered a bouncing ball to race over and Connon’s conversion put Mowden 15-12 ahead at half-time Blackheath forged back in front with two tries, the second coming from a break close to their own line and it took until the 70th minute for Mowden to respond.

George Wacokecoke, the winger on loan from Bath Academy, marked his debut by finishing a good move and Connon’s conversion from out wide cut the deficit to two points.

But Blackheath made sure with their fifth try before Mowden picked up the four-try bonus through winger Ben Rath in the 80th minute.

Blaydon hit their stride with three tries in 13 minutes after trailing 5-0 following a dour first half littered by handling errors.

Full back Nathan Bailey finished off concerted pressure by scoring the first of his two tries near the posts for Andrew Baggett to convert.

Then shortly after going on as the replacement scrum half James Christie supported a break by Baggett to score another converted try.

The purple patch was completed by centre Tom Penny crowning his outstanding performance by finishing a move he featured in twice.

Richmond’s second try cut the gap to 19-12 before Blaydon kicked a penalty to the corner and when the line-out drive was halted three quick passes sent Bailey over for the bonus point. Richmond intercepted to score a breakaway try at the death.

Tynedale managed only two late tries in reply to ten in losing 64-12 at Coventry and one more defeat will confirm their relegation.

They look certain to be joined by Cinderford, who are ten points adrift of safety after two North-Easterners scored tries in their 32-21 defeat at Wharfedale. Josh Burridge and Adam Howard both touched down, but former Blaydon fly half Jamie Guy landed only one of six conversions.

Former Newcastle and Mowden hooker Matt Thompson was in the Ealing side which made virtually certain of promotion by winning 39-14 at Fylde.

The Trailfinders are now reported to be on the trail of his former Falcons team-mate Rory Clegg, who has slipped below Tom Catterick in the fly half pecking order at Kingston Park.