BLAYDON conceded a try after ten seconds on their way to a 25-19 home defeat by Coventry.

The losing bonus point took them two ahead of National One relegation rivals Hull Ionians, their hosts this week. Esher pulled clear when two late converted tries gave them full points at Cambridge.

Blaydon had a huge territorial advantage in the first half, but conceded two tries to ex-Mowden Park lock Tom Jubb as Coventry built a 22-9 lead.

When the kick-off sailed over the intended catcher's head a Coventry winger gathered the ball and passed inside for the simplest of converted tries.

Brett Connon landed two penalties, but Blaydon were stripped of of the ball when attacking and two passes later Jubb was in the clear. He also finished a ten-metre rolling maul.

The fightback started when Fraser Wilson came into the line to send the other winger, Dan Marshall, racing over. But Coventry's defence held firm under relentess pressure until replacement hooker Cameron Bell got over with a minute left.

Tynedale continued their good away form in National Two North with a 19-15 win at Hinckley. Fly half Dan Taylor converted an early try by centre Will Miller and added four penalties.

Billingham easily avenged their home defeat by Cleckheaton as a 30-12 win moved them up to fifth in Three North. Tom Briggs (2), Martin Hopley and Dan Burns scored the tries, with Elliott Husband adding two conversions and two penalties.

While North One East leaders Pocklington scrapped for a 7-3 win at Alnwick, West Hartlepool were denied the chance to keep the pressure on.

Their match at Durham City was postponed just before midday, apparently because of waterlogging.

There was a suspicion that Durham University, who call the shots, wanted the pitch preserving for tomorrow evening's Super League quarter-final against Bath.

The scene is set for what could be a title decider in Durham and Northumberland One when Barnard Castle, who won 22-18 at Horden, entertain Northern on Saturday.

Westoe faded out of the picture with a 40-24 defeat at Consett, but Northern's four-try bonus from a 33-13 win against Stockton took them level on points at the top.

With a game in hand, victory this week would see Barney almost home after they again showed their ability to dig out a hard-earned win in a mudbath at Peterlee.

After a period of sustained pressure, Barney moved the ball down the backs and young George Welsby made a break, offloading for Rob Stanwix to score.

Horden kicked a penalty before a lovely chip by fly-half Greg Upton produced a converted try for Charlie Butlin.

It became 19-3 at half-time when Upton again converted after a break by Miles Brookes allowed lock Andy Wilson to storm over.

Horden resumed full of purpose and after Stanwix was sin-binned they scored two tries.

A penalty had the gap down to one point, but Barney responded with intense pressure and were awarded a penalty under the posts, which Upton converted to seal the win.

Stockton matched Northern in the forward battle but the visiting threequarters had a bit more firepower.

Stockton's first try was a pushover touched down by lock Phil Douglas and their second was by flanker Liam Healey. Steven Bartliff added a penalty.

After losing 12-10 at Barnard Castle, Gateshead won by the same score at Hartlepool Rovers after trailing 10-5 at half-time.

Full back Scott Cartner clinched victory by converting his own try, the first having come from flanker Glen Atkinson. For Rovers, who slipped to third bottom, Lewis Humble kicked a penalty and converted a tery by Pat O'Callaghan.

Former player Rory Underwood was among the spectators as Middlesbrough's backs showed their paces in a 41-8 win against Gosforth, who scored first and last.

Winger Ben Wood intercepted for the first of his two tries and full back Callum Marshall also crossed in building a 22-3 interval lead.

Forwards Sean Kay and Euan Tremlett were driven over before Connor Foley, switched from scrum half to centre, grabbed the sixth. Skipper Matthew Todd added a penalty and four conversions.