MIDDLESBROUGH ensured a home play-off for promotion back to North One when they won 27-5 at home to Morpeth on Saturday.

Winning more games than the North Two West runners-up - probably Caldy - ensures home advantage on April 24.

Three days prior to that they are supposed to visit Wheatley Hills or Goole in a ridiculously belated start to the Yorkshire Cup.

Promotion will obviously be Boro's priority, especially for seasoned campaigners like John Dixon, who scored the final try on Saturday, with all four touchdowns coming from forward drives in wet and windy conditions.

Boro were very dominant in the scrums and hooker Richard Horton got two tries, the first coming after 20 minutes from a 25-metre drive. Simon Moore added the conversion to his early penalty for a 10-0 interval lead and converted again when Horton threw into a ine-out then joined the maul to score his second.

No 8 Ian Bradford scored the third try before Morpeth flanker Dave Hutton was driven over. But Boro reasserted themselves for Dixon to score at the death.

Darlington threatened to end Waterloo's 100 per cent record in National Three North until they had lock Tom Wilkinson sin-binned shortly after half-time.

They led 12-11 at the break, but when Wilkinson was yellow carded for taking a man out at a line-out Waterloo immediately scored a converted try, then added added their third penalty.

Darlington were under pressure in the scrums, but they competed well and spent a long period in the Waterloo 22 before a 70th minute penalty by David Haswell gave them renewed hope.

Waterloo needed an injury time try to make the game safe.

After going behind to a tenth minute try, Darlington scored two tries through the Haswell brothers, with full back Graham touching down first after a breakaway by No 8 Del Lewis.

Mark Butler converted, but was off target when David Haswell finished off a 30-metre maul for a 12-5 lead.

Stockton may need a favour from West Hartlepool on the final day of the season to ensure survival in North Two East.

After losing 11-0 at Horden, Stockton are only one point above third-bottom Bridlington, who visit West in their one remaining game in two weeks, when Stockton entertain unbeaten Hull.

Horden moved a point ahead of Stockton, settling a tight game with brilliant breakaway try five minutes from time.

David Grand fielded a Stockton kick, beat one opponent, then chipped ahead and regathered. He scythed through before sending Brian Foreman over.

Stockton dominated early on but skipper Andrew Temple led a good defensive effort by Horden.

Andrew Turner kicked a 25-metre penalty after 25 minutes and added a slightly longer one after 70 minutes.

West Hartlepool won 19-8 at York, who for the 15th time this season were in front at half-time. But they were unable to grab their fifth win as West scored tries through Allan Milne, Paul Miller and Peter Hodgson, with David Tighe adding two conversions.

Playing downwind, Redcar scored all their points in the first half in a 24-0 win at home to Westoe. Back row men Mark Poulson and Richard Barker touched down, while Gareth Foreman added a try and three penalties.

Hartlepool Rovers all but clinched promotion from Durham and Northumberland One with a 50-0 win at Consett.