WITH five of their first-choice pack injured, the rate at which Mowden were shunted backwards in the second half scrums could accelerate their withdrawal from the county cup.

They suddenly find themselves so depleted that the prospect of two games a week is unthinkable for the cup holders.

Apart from the missing quintet, there seems little prospect of Kelekolio Paino returning, while reserves such as Tim Wilks and Rob Liddell are also injured.

Mowden also had to ask Mark Bedworth to limp through 45 minutes at Blaydon, when he went on despite a calf injury after Iain Dixon broke his nose in a clash of heads with teammate Gareth Kerr.

Mowden are due to play their first round cup tie at Stockton on Wednesday, followed by Darlington at home the following week if they win.

They still have to entertain Tynedale next Saturday and visit Kendal the week after to complete their programme in National Three North, in which they remain third, one point ahead of Blaydon.

Mowden trailed only 12-9 when Dave Richardson kicked his third penalty after home flanker Peti Keni was sin-binned five minutes into the second half.

But the Blaydon forwards seemed to step up a gear and easily survived Keni's absence before going on to take total control.

It became 26-9 after 65 minutes and it was to Mowden's credit that they did not capitulate, scoring the best try of the game with a length-of-the-field move near the end.

There was much talk at Blaydon about the number of their ex-players with Mowden, but it was one who went in the other direction who had the biggest impact.

Mowden had such a strong back row when Shaun Cassidy was with them that he wasn't guaranteed a game, but at 34 he is bringing all his experience to bear for Blaydon.

They also had the power of Keni on the other flank, and with the athletic Matt Cook at No 8 they quickly subdued any threat from their old pal Tom McLaren.

With all their own locks injured, Mowden were grateful to be granted the services of Sean Tomes and Eni Gesinde from the Newcastle Academy. But while both worked hard, it's a tough call for youngsters to confront grizzled old campaigners like Dave Guthrie at this level.

Both teams had a fly half with a sweet left foot, but neither Richardson nor Dan Clappison were greatly inclined to get their backs moving.

Mowden's Tongan international centre Suka Hufanga barely saw the ball and overall the game was a disappointing spectacle.

Mowden's biggest threat came from the darting runs of scrum half Richard Holborough and winger Andy Foreman, who combined to set up the late try for replacement winger James Tyrrell.

Richardson gave Mowden a third-minute lead, but Blaydon quickly replied with some powerful rucking, from which they sent Cook over on the narrow side.

Clappison converted but then missed a penalty and when Richardson struck from 35 metres Mowden had the gap down to one point.

Just before half-time Matt Dehaty, the one centre to make an impression, was tackled into the corner flag after a good attack down the left, then Blaydon ran a penalty and full back Nick Gandy jinked over from ten metres.

Five minutes after the interval Holborough took a quick penalty and Keni, making no effort to retire, compounded his error by dumping the scrum half on the ground.

Richardson slotted the penalty, but it was Blaydon who got on top and after a powerful forward drive Gandy fed Dehaty, who again almost got in at the corner.

Another good move with Gandy in the line ended with Cassidy being well tackled as he went for the line, but by the 60th minute the home pack were so dominant they opted for a scrum when a penalty was awarded ten metres out.

They set up a maul, which the referee deemed to have been halted illegally two metres short and he awarded a penalty try.

Five minutes later Keni strolled through a tackle to score by the posts and Clappison again converted. With the contest decided, Blaydon sent on a couple of forward replacements, which was a luxury Mowden couldn't afford.