FOR the first time both Darlington clubs are in the senior national knockout competition, again known as the Tetley's Bitter Cup, in which Mowden Park rose to prominence last season by reaching the last 16.

They are at home to Workington in this weekend's preliminary round, while Darlington's first venture into the competition sees them visiting Stockport.

Both clubs topped 40 points last Saturday in their first outings in their new leagues.

Mowden, now in North Division One with the likes of Middlesbrough and Stockton, have every reason to be confident of a fourth successive promotion after winning 43-9 at home to Bradford and Bingley.

The visitors finished third last season but were never a match up front for Mowden, who were a little rusty at first but made their superiority count in the last 20 minutes.

They fielded several newcomers, including New Zealander Aaron Radaelli in the back row. He played for Wakefield last season after a couple of years with Durham City, and it is hoped he will be available for most of the season, despite planing a trip home next month.

The other new faces were promising youngsters in the backs, where Mowden have lost Kiwis Nopera Stewart and Liam Chadwick, plus Matt Howland, who has joined Coventry.

Partnered first by John Stewart then Richard Outhwaite, 18-year-old former Durham School centre Mark Bedworth showed several glimpses of his exciting potential.

Mowden, who led 10-3 at half-time, scored six tries with flanker Tony Irwin and hooker Tasi Tuhana grabbing two each. Winger Mick Kent and prop Dave Sinclair scored the others, with Kevan Oliphant adding five conversions and a penalty.

Darlington showed the benefits of their development programme when prop Joe Osleton, lock Richard Snowball and centre Kieron Thompson all played full parts in the 41-20 home win against Redcar in North Two (East). They also sent on another ex-colt in scrum half Robbie Stewart for the last 20 minutes.

There were two tries each for Craig Lee and Paul Beattie as Darlington played expansive rugby while Redcar's possession rarely got beyond ex-Rugby League international Garry Schofield at fly half.

The new rule that there can be no line-out within five metres of the line did not stop Redcar kicking penalties to the corner and three of their four tries came that way.

But Darlington were always in control, except when a 29-5 half-time lead became 29-15 following their substitutions.

Thompson opened the scoring with a penalty and converted four of the six tries, the first of which was touched down by skipper David Andrew after Osleton drove to within a metre of the line.

Redcar scored next before two mistakes by Schofield handed tries to Darlington. First his clearance was collected by David Glendenning, who ran it back and flipped the ball to Lee, who wrong-footed a defender and went under the posts.

Then after a high tackle by Schofield, a quickly-taken tap penalty put Beattie away on a 15-metre run to the line.

Just before half-time a break by Lee, supported by Andrew, was finished off by flanker Martin Howe.

Following a 30-minute lull, Darlington made certain of victory when Lee jinked down the middle to go under the posts. Then when Redcar finally opened out they dropped the ball and Beattie picked up to race over.

Darlington thirds won 31-12 away to Redcar with ex-colts Phil Scott-Priestley, Chris Daley and Michael Garmston among the scorers.

Scrum half Tony Williams also touched down and Brian Alston added four conversions and a penalty.

The fourths lost 25-5 at home to Redcar, their try coming from Paul Sanderson.