DURHAM City clinched the automatic promotion place in Durham and Northumberland One when a late surge took them to a 32-6 win in a Middlesbrough mudbath.

It was 8-6 with 20 minutes left, but Boro’s young side were unable to sustain the effort and must now win their final match at home to Hartlepool Rovers to ensure home advantage in the promotion play-off.

They will probably need a bonus point to make sure as they are one point better off than Malton and Norton, who lost 23-8 away to Yorkshire One winners Bradford and Bingley. Malton's last game is at home to Hullensians.

City's bigger pack coped better with the barely playable conditions, advancing through driving the mauls and Arnie Stevenson's kicking.

Boro opened the scoring with a penalty, but City replied almost immediately then caught Boro napping when a quickly-taken penalty produced a try in the corner for Chris Metcalfe.

The home defence then remained strong until half-time and Boro enjoyed their best period in the third quarter. But their only reward was a penalty and they then conceded tries to Stevenson and Paul Armstrong.

City were also awarded a penalty try when an attempted pushover from a scrum was illegally halted. Chris Stewart, who kicked two penalties, added his third conversion.

With half an eye on gaining revenge on Mowden Park this week, Blaydon rested a few players and lost 31-20 away to National One's bottom club, Henley.

One consolation came from further evidence of the potential of Yarm School centre Ben Stevenson, who was a constant threat and scored an excellent try.

With Jason Smithson scoring his 23rd of the season and fellow back row man Gavin Jones also touching down, Blaydon led 20-19 with 18 minutes left. But they saw little of the ball thereafter and conceded two further tries.

Although they still look safe, Tynedale missed their chance to make certain of National Two North survival when they drew 20-20 against thrid-bottom Sandal at Kingston Park.

The visitors led 8-0 until two tries either side of half-time by Newcastle Academy winger Dan Marshall helped Tynedale pull clear. The other winger, Oli Walker, and powerful prop Ben Haigh also scored. But all the conversions failed and four second half penalties brought Sandal level.

Billingham recorded a fourth successive win in a mudbath at home to National Three North champions Sheffield Tigers.

Tries by Elliot Husband and Andy Evans opened a 12-0 lead and a third was added by Martin Hopley as they hung on to win 17-13.

Billingham's colts will contest their national final against Havant at Bedford on Monday, May 2, with a 4pm kick-off.

Westoe's relegation from North One East was confirmed when they lost 24-14 at Pocklington, while West Hartlepool enjoyed a 43-15 home win against Dinnington.

Ryan Painter scored two of West's seven tries and skipper Dan Boatman touched down two late pushovers.