Darlington received a harsh lesson in the physical nature of national league rugby in last night's Durham Cup first-round tie.

Mowden avenged their defeat in last season's final by overpowering their neighbours, who achieved their season's main ambition by joining Mowden in National Three North.

With arguments raging about whether the town can sustain two clubs at that level, more than 1,000 supporters turned up to see what sort of spectacle would be provided. For those with a bloodlust it was terrific fun, but those expecting some open, flowing entertainment might have wondered what all the fuss was about.

In fairness, there was absolutely no nastiness on the part of a superby-drilled and disciplined Mowden team who have had two years to become accustomed to the rigours of the national league.

In North One this season, Darlington have had to put up with a lot of niggle from teams jealous of their skills. They will find less of that at the higher level, partly because the officiating is better from the referee and touch judges.

But they also discovered last night how much faster and harder the tackles come in, and on the rare occasions when they won good ball they were not allowed to develop their normal free-flowing style.

With two Tongans already in their pack, Mowden sent on a third seven minutes after half-time in Soa Otuvaka, who had made one previous appearance for them against Blaydon after being signed on loan from Newcastle Falcons.

Otuvaka, Kelekolio, Faleovalu and Tuhana are not exactly common names in the Darlington phone book but Mowden fans were unconcerned about that as their side become increasingly dominant.

The match was refereed by former Durham County captain Steve Havery, whose rise through the ranks has been even more rapid than that of the two clubs.

He will be joining them in Three North next season and handled a difficult task commendably, although the first of the three yellow cards he brandished might have been a little harsh. Kelekolio was already on his way down when Rob Stewart hit him round the neck, but there could be little argument about the other two.

Mowden full back Iain Dixon was sin-binned for use of the elbow and Darlington's fired-up player-coach Craig Lee was handed ten minutes in the cooler for a high tackle.

Darlington made two early attempts to put Paul Beattie away, hoping to find some spark from the winger who has scored 28 tries this season.

But he looked as though he couldn't get rid of the ball quickly enough and the club will now be wondering if they can take him up to the higher level as his deficiencies were glaringly exposed.

Darlington were already 32-0 down and staring a bigger defeat in the face when they sent on David Andrew with ten minutes left, switching Stewart to the wing.

He made an instant difference, suggesting that his experience should have been called on earlier.

For Mowden, prop Danny Brown epitomised their forward strength and skipper Aaron Redaelli defied his neck injury to provide a sterling lead.

But the youngsters in Darlington's front five never buckled, with 19-year-old hooker Dan Osleton standing up to the test remarkably well.

Darlington are used to gaining huge distances from driving mauls in North One, but the first time they tried it they were turned over and the next time they were penalised. It took them 15 minutes to reach the home 22 then they lost the ball at a ruck, and careless handling in their own half led to the first try after 22 minutes.

Mowden scrum half Richard Holbrough chipped up the left touchline and winger James Tyrrell gathered the ball and stepped inside a tackle to score.

Fly half Mark Bedworth converted, but after missing an early penalty he was wide with another one following a high tackle by Dave Haswell.

Dixon, normally very prominent at full back, had not been in the game at all, but he made a threatening break with his first touch and shortly afterwards Bedworth made it 10-0 when Stewart was yellow carded.

He added another penalty to make it 13-0 at half-time with Darlington looking bereft of ideas when they twice asked Kieron Thompson to take penalties at the very limit of his range.

Darlington got to within five metres early in the second half but their chance was gone when Craig Lee was nailed by Brown.

Ten minutes into the half a long pass over the head of impressive centre Jonno Wilson found Matt Howland on the 22 and he romped over, Bedworth converting.

Darlington sent on David Inman for Rick Taylor at lock and held out for a further 15 minutes before Wilson sent Howland over again.

Finally Dixon side-stepped two tackles from 30 metres out to score under the posts, and with Andrew's help it was to Darlington's credit that they battled valiantly to the end.

The question now is whether anyone else will fancy trying to stop Mowden regaining they cup they won from 1998-2000.

They are due to entertain Stockton in the semi-final on Saturday.

Result: Mowden Park 32 Darlington o.