DARLINGTON Mowden Park justified the expense of flights and a two-night stay with a morale-boosting win at Plymouth Albion.

Feeling the benefits of a settled pack, who dominated their hosts, they won 25-15 to launch what they hope will be a climb up the National One table.

Having started the match one point above the bottom club, they leapfrogged declining Henley and Wharfedale and will expect another win at home to Hull Ionians this week.

Once the forwards got on top after trailing to a sixth-minute converted try, scrum half Bruno Bravo took the opportunity to bounce back from his errors in the previous week's agonising one-point defeat by Richmond.

The only blot was a second successive yellow card for No 8 Ollie Hodgson. But Mowden held out during his absence just before half-time, when they led 8-7.

Garry Law kicked a penalty and the try was scored by one of their five ex-Plymouth players, winger Jake Henry, who sprinted in from halfway following a break by Law.

An interception try put Plymouth back in front four minutes after the interval, but the Mowden forwards reasserted their authority for prop Ignas Darkintis to burrow over.

A Plymouth penalty levelled it at 15-15 before forward strength was again rewarded with a penalty try, converted by Law, who added another penalty with two minutes left to deny the hosts a bonus point.

Blaydon slipped back to the bottom when they lost 38-0 at Coventry, despite dominating possession in the first half, when they were denied by robust defence.

On rare visits to the Blaydon half, Welsh fly half Matt Jones kicked three penalties for a 9-0 interval lead then added another before converting three of the four tries.

Two tries came with Blaydon down to 14 men as replacement prop Robbie Morris, who had been on for one minute, fell foul of the referee's warning that the next offence would result in a yellow card.

As Blaydon prepare for tough games against Esher and Rosslyn Park, they have noted that Zach Kibirige and Will Whitty, who played for them last year, are back in training with Newcastle.

Tynedale moved away from danger in Two North when they came back from 24-13 down with 35 minutes left to win 34-24 at home to South Leicester.

Ash Smith kicked two first half penalties and converted all four tries, scored by prop Ben Haigh, winger James Clark, veteran Jamie Murray and his fellow back row man Nick Cairns.

Billingham moved up to seventh in National Three North when teenage winger Adam Radwan was again among the scorers in a 28-18 home win against Rossendale.

Matt Kirby also touched down and Peter Evans kicked both conversions and a penalty for a comfortable interval lead. Rossendale hit back, but two more Evans penalties and a try by Luke Wilson kept Billingham in control.

West Hartlepool ended a run of three defeats with a 47-6 home win against Wheatley Hills to consolidate third place in North One East.

Those who have played at a higher level, Gavin Painter and Aaron Myers, were prominent, with Painter having a hand in several of the seven tries and converting six.

His pass put Peter Youll through a gap for the first, after which the visitors took advantage of a string of penalties to reduce the gap to 7-6.

Once West sorted things out, however, they forged ahead with Greg Edwards scoring the best try as he evaded four tackles.

Chris Atkins also touched down for a 21-6 interval lead and the remaining four tries came from skipper Dan Boatman (2), Scott Butcher and Ryan Painter.

Guisborough ensured that they continue to stay out of danger by winning 14-10 at home to the team just below them, Northern.

Durham City maintained their lead in Durham and Northumberland One with a 29-3 win at Ryton, staying one point ahead of Middlesbrough.

Consett also continued to step up their promotion challenge with a 34-19 win at Horden, giving them a second successive away victory against a top-five side.

Stockton, minus six of the previous week's squad, trailed 17-0 after 20 minutes at Novos. They fought back gamely to narrow the gap to two points, only for the hosts to pull away and win 27-15.

A Jeremy Good penalty made it 17-3 at the break then two tries from barnstorming prop Tom Nelson, plus a conversion by full back Dan Wilson, gave Stockton real hope. But Novos managed a late flurry.