NORTHALLERTON have one huge hurdle to clear if they are to book an outing to Twickenham for the National Junior Vase final.

In the semi-final on April 4 they must visit Rugby Lions, who were a Championship club under the coaching of former England flanker Neil Back until they were plunged into administration three years ago.

They had to drop down eight divisions but were promoted last year and are now top of Midlands Four West. They are unbeaten for two years at their Webb Ellis Road ground, where they have palatial facilities.

Cheered on by 50 supporters who made the trip to Warrington, Northallerton reached the last four through a 28-15 win against Eagle RUFC.

Rob Greene was named man of the match for the second successive week, despite scrum half Pat Hebblethwaite scoring two tries.

Although the home pack matched them in size, the North forwards had the edge in strength and fitness and gradually ground down their opponents.

Phil Swall finished off a maul which was driven ten metres for the opening try, then the hosts' dangerous inside centre broke through two tackles to score a converted try for a 7-5 lead.

The same man set up another try after Hebblethwaite had made a break for his first touchdown and the score at half-time was 12-12.

North skipper Joe Terry's defensive efforts had resulted in an injury, so he was replaced by Dan Luck and ten minutes after the break Hebblethwaite made another sniping run from a ruck to score a try converted by Alex Porter.

A last-ditch tap tackle by Jeremy Deas prevented an Eagles try and after penalties were exchanged Porter made sure of victory with a fine drop goal followed by another penalty in the dying minutes.

North resume Yorkshire Three action at Stocksbridge tomorrow, while the seconds visit West Hartlepool.

Darlington Mowden Park lost 29-27 away to fourth-placed Blackheath in National One, but the two bonus points ensured that they cannot be relegated.

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 They effectively lost the game during the ten minutes flanker Toby Allcock spent in the sin bin earlu in the second half as Blackheath forged back in front with two tries.

The second was a killer blow, stemming 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 Blackeath made sure with their fifth try before Mowden picked up the four-try bonus through a long-range try by winger Ben Rath in the 80th minute.

Australian No 8 Andrew Cox played his final game for Mowden, taking the place of Guy Van Den Dries, who switched into the second row. He replaced Ben Gledhill, who was suspended for three weeks after being sent off for punching in the win against Coventry.

Former 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 was at Barnard Castle School with Tom Catterick, who has overtaken him in the fly half pecking order at Kingston Park.

Mowden have no game tomorrow, while Darlington had a day off last Saturday and return to action with a trip to old rivals Hartlepool Rovers, who are fourth in Durham and Northumberland One.