DARLINGTON Mowden Park will hope to bounce back from an opening day 16-10 defeat at Hull Ionians when they face Blaydon at The Northern Echo Arena tomorrow.

No 8 Ollie Hodgson, who has succeeded Gareth Nesbit as skipper, had to retire with an ankle injury after 11 minutes as Ionians took the game to a Mowden side featuring nine new signings.

The most difficult vacancies to fill have been in the second row, where Talite Vaioleti was pressed into service alongside Argentinian newcomer Seb Freydell.

Vaioleti put in some storming runs, but in incessant rain Mowden struggled to break down a strong defence.

They were under pressure for most of the first half, with homegrown flanker Joe Craggs leading the tackle count, while new centre Joel Gill prevented a try with a superb cover tackle.

Things were looking good when Mowden managed to grab a 7-3 interval lead. When a penalty was awarded just outside the Hull 22, Australian scrum half Tim Duchesne took it quickly and, after good handling, replacement Santiago Socino crashed over. New full back Caolan Ryan added the conversion.

Early in the second half Mowden failed to secure line-out ball near their line and conceded a soft converted try.

They were also struggling in the scrums and conceded a penalty followed by a drop goal to go 16-7 down.

Hull had a player sin-binned on the restart and Ryan kicked the penalty, completing the scoring in the 79th minute.

Blaydon lost heavily at home to promoted Old Albanians with a line-up which included ex-Mowden man Max Connon at full back. He has moved to play alongside younger brother Brett, a highly-rated fly half.

Promoted Barnard Castle got off to a great start in Durham and Northumberland One with an 18-12 win at Westoe.

The winning try came late in the game when Tom Steen fielded a ball deep in his own half and when Westoe halted, believing he had knocked on, he stormed away and found support from Chris McTurk.

The ex-Mowden winger's trademark chip and chase earned his second try, and fly half Sam Errington converted to add to his two penalties.

Middlesbrough also left it late to clinch a 13-10 win at Hartlepool Rovers through a well-struck penalty by Matthew Todd.

Captained by flanker Liam Wilson following Rob Bellerby's retirement, Boro were under pressure in the first half but took the lead through Todd's first penalty.

While Rhys Kilbride is playing Rugby League, Boro's other ex-Northallerton man, Richard Lonsdale, went on at lock in the second half after almost a year's absence with a cracked hip and made a difference. Centre Sean Maloney weaved through for the second try.

Depleted Stockton lost 27-5 at home to Gateshead, whose speedy backs scored three tries in the first 20 minutes.

Gateshead then had a player sent off when he retaliated against the wrong man, his swinging arm knocking Jonny Cheetham unconscious.

A Chris Farrell try made it 19-5 at half-time, but the visitors pulled away with a fourth try and a penalty.

Boro entertain Horden tomorrow, Barnard Castle are at Gateshead and Stockton visit Gosforth.

Darlington lost their first match in Durham and Northumberland Two 18-11 at Whitley Bay Rockcliff and visit Northumberland again tomorrow to play Blyth.

Northallerton kicked off their league campaign with a scrappy and disappointing 9-5 defeat in heavy showers and a gusty wind at Aireborough.

Both teams found it difficult to handle the ball and put good passages of play together, but the hosts kicked two penalties in the first half as North's frustration grew.

Just before half-time, the North forwards gathered the ball in open play and produced a rolling maul for more than 20 yards before ex-captain Paul Dixon touched down in the corner.

Given the amount of wayward passing, it was a surprise that even one try was scored.

The second half continued in much the same fashion, both teams being guilty of unforced errors, and the only score coming from Aireborough's third penalty.

Northallerton are at home tomorrow to many people's pre-season favourites for promotion, Goole.