TOUGH away games saw Darlington and Blaydon fall in the first round proper of the Powergen Cup, while Tynedale scraped through 19-13 at home to Hull Ionians.
Blaydon lost Andy Foreman, James Lofthouse and Tasi Tuhana through injury in the second half in their 36-3 defeat at Bedford Athletic, who finished several places below them in National Three North last season.
Darlington gave a much better account of themselves at New Brighton and led 19-17 after 53 minutes, only for a harsh sin-binning to cost them dear as they lost 32-19.
Lock Richard Snowball was handed the yellow card for handling in the ruck, and New Brighton kicked the penalty then made their extra man count.
Late changes saw Rick Taylor make his debut at lock, while Phil Mott had an excellent game at blind side on his first senior start for two years, and Mark Butler played well at centre.
Darlington were under heavy early pressure and quickly conceded a try, but after nine minutes Paul Beattie intercepted in his own 22 and raced away to score.
Phil Heslop's conversion secured a 7-5 lead, but the full back's kicking was off key and Craig Lee finally took over to land the conversion which put Darlington in front.
They trailed 17-7 at half-time after the home scrum half nipped over from a ruck near the line then the left winger rounded Frankie Coulson to go under the posts.
But Coulson made amends when Butler's quick hands sent him over in the corner to reward a good start by Darlington in the second half.
Brian Baldwin went on for injured hooker Dan Osleton and another good attack took them into the 22, where Martin Howe took a quick penalty to score.
But New Brighton came back with a try when their full back cut through, followed by the penalty and converted try when Snowball was off the field.
West Hartlepool find themselves bottom of North Division One after two games following a 35-11 defeat at home to West Park St Helens.
West's hopes of halting their slide rose as they fought back from an early 10-0 deficit and trailed only 13-11 early in the second half.
Hooker Brett Cullinane scored a try and John Stabler added two penalties, but when lock Andrew Davies was sin-binned West Park started to forge ahead again.
Relegated Middlesbrough made it two wins out of two in North Two East with a 35-18 home win against Morpeth.
They led 10-6 at half-time, then player-coach John Dixon went on and beefed things up, even allowing Boro to score two tries while flanker Gavin Fingland was in the sin-bin.
Goal-kicking continues to be a problem, with Andy Micklewright converting one of the six tries and adding a penalty.
It's a problem Boro hope to solve by signing a new fly half, but Dixon was happy with the contribution of youngsters Richard Lightwing and Martin Featherstone in the backs.
Boro led 30-6 before conceding two late tries, then came back with their sixth try at the death.
Stockton pulled out of the Powergen Intermediate Cup for the second successive season when they handed Westoe a walkover.
Acklam lost their Intermediate tie 29-16 at home to Horden after superb kicking from fly half Ian Bircham helped them dominate the first half.
He landed a long-range drop goal, kicked a penalty and converted a try by Peter Wallace for a 13-5 lead but had to retire at the break with a foot injury.
Horden, who scored an early try though No 8 John Paul, turned the screw after the break with tries by Steve Black, Andrew Applegarth and Paul Bruce. Andrew Turner kicked a penalty and three conversions.
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