A THIRD successive win took Darlington Mowden Park up to third place in National One and boosted confidence ahead of tomorrow's visit to Rosslyn Park.

The Londoners were among the pre-season title favourites but have lost all four matches, so Mowden will hope to capitalise on their woes.

The 37-12 home win against promoted Cambridge last Saturday was even more comfortable than the scoreline suggests because it was 34-0 early in the second half.

After a five-try blitz between the 30th and 47th minutes, substitutions disrupted the flow and Cambridge scored twice in the final quarter.

Rory Duff, continuing to deputise at No 8 for injured skipper Ollie Hodgson, was man of the match.

Mowden's first try was sparked by a Ben Frankland interception on halfway. The centre found winger Will Murray, whose weaving run took him almost to the line and fly half Caolan Ryan was on hand to finish in the corner.

His excellent conversion was the first of his three and he also kicked a penalty before his replacement, Sam Allan, landed a late one.

Flanker Matt Heaton and centre Chris Auld set up the second try for Duff, then Santiago Socino and Talite Vaioleti both evaded tackles before winger Joel Gill touched down.

Frankland and Murray completed the spree early in the second half.

Middlesbrough were much-improved in a 34-30 home win against Novos, who were previously unbeaten in Durham and Northumberland One.

Boro were without key forward Richard Lonsdale with a worrying recurrence of his hip problem and are still awaiting the recovery of their other ex-Northallerton man, winger Rhys Kilbride.

Despite facing the wind, they recovered from conceding an early try to lead 17-8 at half-time and forged 34-17 ahead before three yellow cards for technical offences disrupted them.

Lock Euan Tremlett scored two tries, while back row men Liam Wilson and Ash Kearney also crossed. Fly half Matthew Todd kicked the conversions and two penalties.

Barnard Castle remain fifth, but had to settle for a losing bonus point from a 12-10 defeat at Hartlepool, as did bottom club Stockton in losing 19-15 at Consett.

In division two, Darlington picked up their second win of the season, edging a close game 17-13 on their first visit to Sedgefield.

Northallerton picked up their first points of the season in Yorkshire Three when they earned a hard-fought 13-13 draw at Halifax.

North's points came from a try by the versatile Sandy Gray plus a conversion and two penalties from Jed Bainbridge.

They are at home to Harrogate Pythons tomorrow, while the seconds are away to Horden.