BLAYDON need to win their home games against Cambridge this week and Darlington Mowden Park on December 17 following a 50-14 defeat at Ampthill.

They paid the price for poor tackling and remain bottom of National One with the bottom three well adrift following Mowden's win against Esher.

Although the forwards stood up well and took a couple of strikes against the head, Ampthill's more skilful backs saw them stretch a 22-0 interval lead to 36-0 before Blaydon replied.

Centre Tom Bramwell started and finished a move which also involved winger Kris Bratten, then replacement hooker Cameron Bell was driven over. Full back Ryan Foreman added the conversions.

Tynedale completed a hat-trick of wins in National Two North when they overcame plucky visitors Luctonians 29-24.

The Herefordshire club led three times, but after being 17-12 down early in the second half Tynedale forged ahead with three quick tries.

Billingham also enjoyed a late surge in their Three North match at home to Doncaster Phoenix, who were in the game at 25-17 with 20 minutes left.

Luke Wilson scored two of the four tries, all converted by Peter Evans, which carried Billingham to a 53-17 win. Evans scored the eighth and final try for a tally of 18 points, others coming from Danny Dixon (2), Tom Briggs (2) and Andy Thompson.

West Hartlepool's lead at the top of North One East no longer looks secure after a 52-5 defeat at Pocklington, who are only four points behind. Second-placed Penrith's home match against Guisborough was postponed.

Durham City moved further away from danger with a hard-earned 25-11 home win against Driffield. They handed debuts to Jonny Hall and Tom Elliott and it was close all the way until a good team try was finished off by No 8 Peter Dent.

Although Barnard Castle's match at Ryton was postponed, their position at the top of Durham and Northumberland One was strengthened by Westoe's 39-30 defeat at Stockton.

Both clubs have recovered from poort starts and under the coaching of Paul Lee and Martin Howe the young Stockton side dominated until the closing stages.

A 60-metre move produced the first try for Jonny Horner, then prop Rhys McHugh scored before full back Dan Phinn glided through for the first of his two tries.

With flanker Tom Nelson also touching down and Steve Bartliff adding four conversions and two penalties Stockton led 39-8 before Westoe's late rally.

Middlesbrough overcame lively visitors Medicals 29-13 with Sean Richardson and Peter Homan making a difference in midfield.

After conceding early penalties to trail 3-0, Boro forged 17-3 ahead at half-time. Winger Sean Moloney scored the first then Euan Tremlett crossed following a good break and pass from his brother, Toby.

Centre Ross McNeill scored just before half-time and prop Josh Lynas was driven over for the bonus point before Toby Tremlett took a quick penalty to score at the death. Ben Wood and Connor Foley kicked a conversion each in the absence of Matthew Todd.

Hartlepool Rovers checked their slide down the table when they came back from 12-0 down to win 22-19 at home to Consett.

Nick Cook made the breaks and kicked the conversions after setting up two Dan Patchcott tries for Consett, but full back Alex Rochester scored the clincher for Rovers with eight minutes left. Taz Pelser and Steve Barnfield scored their other tries, with Daz Fawcett adding the goal points.

Gateshead's match against Novos, which was also to have counted in the Durham Intermediate Cup, was a victim of the frost.