BLAYDON face a tough battle for survival in National One after a hammering at Blackheath left them at the foot of the table without a win in six games.

There is little prospect of extra help from Newcastle Falcons as players who have appeared for Blaydon in the past, like Zach Kibirige, Tom Catterick and Tom Penny, are all injured.

The Falcons are also about to embark on their European Challenge Cup campaign and will be giving opportunities to fringe players.

After their strong fightback at home to Macclesfield, Blaydon reverted to their habit of fading in the second half as a 17-10 half-time deficit became a 59-17 defeat.

The Blaydon forwards were on top initially, and a Brett Connon penalty put them ahead. But Blackheath's line-out strength helped them to forge ahead before Jason Smithson scored a converted try just before half-time.

Early in the second half Blaydon lost three men to the sin bin in quick succession. Matt Thompson had only just gone on from the bench when he was adjudged to have pulled down a maul, then Chris Wearmouth followed him when the home scrum half chipped ahead and ran into him.

Blackheath scored four tries while Blaydon were depleted and although the visitors came back strongly at the end a try by centre James Cooney was scant consolation.

Recent signs that Tynedale could challenge near the top of Two North vanished in a 33-27 home defeat by Chester.

With influential flanker Joe Mills joining half backs Matty Outson and Ash Smith on the sidelines, Tynedale had to settle for two bonus points.

Two tries by hooker Jamie Blamire, the first from an interception, saw Tynedale edge ahead just before half-time, but they were sunk by three quick tries.

They trailed 33-17 before late tries by fly half Rob Parker and prop Ben Haigh earned the bonus points.

Billingham moved up to fourth in National Three North with a 29-10 win at Lymm, where winger Tom Briggs scored a hat-trick.

No 8 Danny Dixon also touched down and Peter Evans added three conversions and a penalty.

West Hartlepool's hopes of returning to the national leagues continued to prosper with a 26-5 win against bigger opponents at Percy Park.

No 8 Sam Miller scored the first of his two tries from a catch-and-drive and when skipper Dan Boatman also drove over from close range West led 12-0 after ten minutes.

Former Gateshead Thunder centre Ali Blair burst through their defence to make it 12-5 at half-time. But then Aaron Myers took a hand in his first appearance of the season.

Zac Southern fielded a clearance on halfway and passed to the flanker, who evaded several tackles on his way to the line.

He then had to switch into the backs because of injuries, but the forwards laid the platform for Miller to drive over again for the bonus point try, Gavin Painter adding his third conversion.

The promotion race has opened up in Durham and Northumberland One, where the four unbeaten teams three weeks ago have now lost twice each.

One point covers the top five teams, with Barnard Castle, Hartlepool Rovers and Hartlepool moving into the frame.

Westoe have woken from their poor start and won 38-28 away to leaders Northern, while Middlesbrough are only three points off the pace after a 36-23 home win against Stockton.

All six tries came from backs as Boro built a 36-9 lead with winger Connor Foley scoring two in his first appearance of the season. His first was from a chip and chase and the second from an elusive run.

Centre Ross McNeill also scored in his second game since a two-year lay-off, while Sean Moloney, Adam Nolson and Michael Thornburn completed the tally. Matthew Todd added three conversions.

Stockton fought back with two well-worked tries from prop Tom Nelson and winger Joe Hargreaves, converted by full back Steve Bartliff, who added two penalties in the absence of Jeremy Good with concussion.

After their narrow defeat at Hartlepool, Barnard Castle edged another tight contest at Medicals, winning 28-25.