THE two Darlington rugby clubs have been drawn away in the first round of the Powergen Cup to the teams they face in their opening National Three North matches next Saturday.

For Darlington it means a second trip to Rugby Lions on September 18, while Mowden Park visit Cleckheaton after playing them at home this week.

Blaydon will be away to the winners of next Saturday's preliminary round tie between Percy Park and Blackburn, while Tynedale will visit Hull or West Hartlepool.

West won their qualifying round tie 43-19 at home to Redcar on Saturday but expect a tough match at Hull, who won 40-17 at Morpeth.

Redcar played former West prop Paul Beal at flanker but caused problems for their hosts in the tight, only to be outpaced in the backs.

West full back Darren Thomas came into the line to take a pass from Allan Milne and score the first of his two tries after two minutes.

Anth Carr finished a forward drive before Redcar No 8 Mark Poulson replied in similar fashion with Redcar coach Jamie Connolly, the former West centre, adding the conversion.

A good pass from Milne sent Peter Hodgson over for West's third try, then Milne finished a counter-attack from West's own half and David Tighe's second conversion made it 24-7 at half-time.

Two breaks up the right by West captain Stuart Bennett led to tries for Thomas and Tim Sawyer before Beal broke off a maul to score for Redcar.

The visitors' elusive winger Matthew Storey beat four tackles to score their third try before Andrew Hare finished off a blind side break for West and Tighe converted.

Blaydon were pleased with their performance in losing a friendly only 12-7 at Harrogate, who included ex-Darlington flanker Andrew Carphin.

David Guthrie had an excellent game at the start of his 11th year as captain of Blaydon, who have ex-Halifax and Wales Rugby League man Brian Juliff in charge of coaching following the departure of Nick Gandy.

Blaydon have replaced powerhouse prop Dan Harper with Samoan Fatu Tulaga, who has played for Auckland.

They have also signed former Newcastle Academy centre Nick Wainwright, Horden winger David Grand and South African full back Grant Henderson, who was with Watsonians last season.

Tynedale, who have lost Jamie Murray, Paul Boston and Paul Mooney, could be in for a tough season after losing a friendly at home to Doncaster 87-0.