DISCONTENT over the link-up with Newcastle Falcons is helping to forge a strong spirit among Darlington Mowden Park's core of regulars and it showed in the 30-0 home win against Macclesfield.

Although he isn't happy about being on the wing, former Falcons and Stockton player Dave Richardson scored his second hat-trick of the season in a much-improved performance.

Mowden were promised a prop and a flanker from the Newcastle Academy to provide cover on the bench, but it did not materialise.

Prop Ian Keeligan therefore defied his back problem for 80 minutes, while Tony Irwin at lock and Chris Strong at blind side both gave their all in unaccustomed positions.

After playing in Friday's match against New Zealand Under 21s, centre Martyn Bray was the one academy boy to make himself available for Mowden and he had to go on near the end when Andy Foreman suffered a blow to the jaw.

Open side flanker Jonny Boatman again seized the chance presented by injuries, winning a lot of line-out ball in an excellent display.

After losing the toss Mowden were happy to be given the advantage of the wind and rain and went ahead after three minutes when Boatman stole line-out ball on Macclesfield's throw.

Mark Bedworth threw out a long pass to Richardson, who raced in from 20 metres.

The visitors had a strong front five, but their efforts to drive round the fringes were repeatedly knocked back and Mowden used the wind well to pin them back.

A long Bedworth kick set up the position from which Foreman expertly finished a blind side move, aquaplaning over for the final three metres.

After 25 minutes the pack again won good ball and from a scissor movement in midfield centre Chris Blacklock cut inside to score near the posts. Bedworth converted and added a penalty just before half-time for a 20-0 lead.

Into the wind Mowden played good, tight rugby and frustrated their opponents, who got to the line twice but were kept out by excellent defence.

Any fears that the lead might not be big enough vanished with two tries in seven minutes by Richardson. He took a pass from Iain Dixon, who had cut through the centre, and chipped over his opposite winger then beat the full back to the touchdown.

Forward pressure kept forcing Macclesfield into mistakes and from one of those Richardson danced through several players to score from 22 metres.

Darlington picked up their first away point in National Three North when they drew 10-10 against bottom club Longton.

In atrocious conditions in the Potteries, the quagmire pitch and strong wind did not suit Darlington, who were inevitably bogged down in their efforts to play their usual open game.

They trailed 5-3 at half-time and went further behind when they conceded a pushover try two minutes after the break, despite the fact that a Longton prop was standing up in the scrum.

Darlington drew level with 16 minutes left when replacement flanker Andrew Carphin was driven over and Mark Butler added a good conversion.

Butler missed the first penalty chance of the match after ten minutes but found the target in first half injury time.

Darlington will now have high hopes of winning at home to Tynedale this week after the Corbridge club lost 10-5 at home to Kendal on Saturday.

Blaydon won 48-7 at home to Preston Grasshoppers, with former Bedford flanker Matt Cook scoring a hat-trick.

He scored the second, fifth and sixth of the seven tries, with full back David Dalrymple coming into the line to grab the first before adding five conversions and a penalty.

Cook finished off excellent play by the forwards for his first and got on the end of some slick handling for his second, which was the best try of the game.

His third came when the forwards won a ball 25 metres out and drove over. The other tries came from winger Simon Barber, No 8 Peti Keni and centre Peter Kilburn.

Middlesbrough, third in North Two East, opened a five-point lead on fourth-placed visitors Westoe with an 18-6 win.

Playing into a strong wind, Boro trailed only 3-0 at half-time and forward pressure soon allowed No 8 Ian Bradford to burst over.

A second penalty by Paul Hagan put Westoe back in front, but Boro fly half Danny Bishop replied then converted a try by centre Mark Featherstone. Scrum half Peter Wright added a late drop goal.

Stockton gave a spirited display away to unbeaten leaders Hull, but were always chasing the game after conceding two soft tries and lost 31-8.

A penalty by Jeremy Good gave them the lead and flanker Wayne Brown was driven over for a try midway through the second half.

Hull had former Wales fly half Gary Pearce pulling the strings, while former Rugby League international Leroy Mackenzie scored a late try.

In atrocious conditions at Bridlington, West Hartlepool had to settle for an 11-11 draw after John Bickerdyke kicked a late penalty for the hosts.

Skipper Tim Sawyer, out of position at hooker, scored West's try, while Dave Tighe landed two penalties to earn a 6-0 lead.

Redcar won 29-9 at home to Sandal with tries by Paul Williams, Jon Ryan, Matt Hemmingway, Richard Barker and Neil Cook. Carl Leach added two conversions.

Northallerton remain second on points difference in Yorkshire Three after a 17-5 win away to fourth-placed Roundhegians. Fly half Brian Tucker scored a try, conversion and penalty for a 10-0 interval lead.