NEWCASTLE FALCONS moved eight points clear at the top of the Championship when they overcame their toughest test to win 29-20 at Bedford.

The Midlanders slipped to third and have no hope of closing the gap after having to rely entirely on full back James Pritchard for their points.

His two tries gave his side a glimmer of hope, but they were never seriously in contention after winger Tom Catterick sprinted over for Newcastle in the 40th minute to give Newcastle a 20-6 lead.

They were never behind with Jimmy Gopperth kicking them into an early lead before flanker Richard Mayhew finished off a line-out drive.

An inside pass from centre Tane Tu’ipulotu set up Catterick’s try and Gopperth did the rest.

Director of Rugby Dean Richards said: “This was the toughest test so far. The lads feel they probably played at about 60 per cent and that’s a credit to Bedford because that’s all they allowed us to play at. But I think there’s more to come from us.”

Blaydon consolidated third place in National One when they won 24-8 at Sedgley Park, despite having a poor first half. They are five points behind Ealing, who visit Crow Trees this week after suffering a shock home defeat by Old Albanians.

Blaydon trailed 8-3 until the 50th minute but after defending well they turned the tables on their hosts with three tries, all converted by Andrew Baggett.

Hooker Matt Hall scored from close range, then good handling by the backs gave winger Frazer Wilson the chance to show his class.

Nathan Bailey scored the third five minutes from time after switching from full back to wing when Zach Kibirige tweaked a hamstring.

No 8 Ben Morris was also injured, allowing student Tom Nutley to go on at half-time and make a big impression.

He is the twin of Northampton flanker Ben Nutley.

Tynedale’s slump continued with a fifth successive defeat and this was the most alarming as they lost 37-17 at home to Loughborough Students.

Tries by Hamish Smales and Ollie Stedman had Tynedale 12-8 ahead at the break, but the students had forged well clear by the time Ben Frankland, playing at centre, scored in the 70th minute.

After starting with seven defeats, Westoe scrambled to their third successive win in National Two North when they beat Stockport 19-18.

Winger Michael Potts scored in the last minute but the visitors still had a chance to win, only for a penalty to drift wide.

Tries by No 8 Oliver Cracknell and lock John Younghusband, both converted by Matt Mellish, gave Westoe a 14-0 lead. But two yellow cards contributed to them slipping 18-14 behind until Potts crossed in the corner.

Billingham lost their unbeaten home record in National Three North when they were well beaten by Sandal, who scored four converted tries in a 31-5 win.

West Hartlepool remain third from the bottom after a 21-13 defeat at Penrith, where they enjoyed around 70 per cent of the possession.

The forwards were held up over the line three times in the first 18 minutes of the second half as West camped in the 22 without reward.

Penrith’s lively backs ran the ball at every opportunity and they scored a converted try after six minutes. Two long-range penalties from Stu Waites made it 7-6 at halftime, and after being under pressure for 30 minutes Penrith broke out for their full back to score a converted try.

The same player crossed again before Waites broke from halfway to send in Luke Watson in the 80th minute.

After a week off this Saturday, injury-hit Middlesbrough will be grateful to have games coming up against the only sides below them in North One East, Durham City and Darlington.

On a day when winger Peter Homan, one of two ex-Boro players in the Rotherham team, scored two tries against Doncaster, Boro lost 36-10 at Old Crossleyans.

Their forwards dominated the first half but had only a Jack Bircham penalty to show for it and trailed 10-3 before falling apart in the second half.

Prop Craig Chapman scored a converted try in the 70th minute but skipper Richie Barker joined the casualty list with a knee problem.

Boro hope to have Rob Bellerby and Peter Wright back for the visit of City, who lost 19-6 at home to Cleckheaton.

The resignation of coach Duncan Scarr did nothing to halt Darlington’s woes as they crashed 80-5 at home to Morley.

The visitors obviously knew about Darlington’s defensive frailties as they ran everything from the outset and scored 40 points in each half.

Replacement hooker Mike Stowe scored a late try for Darlington.

Stockton came away from their first league game at Blyth with a 15-15 draw and probably deserved better in a game which failed to produce a try.

Three first half penalties from Jeremy Good, playing in the unaccustomed scrum half role because of injuries to Rob Green and Paul Armstrong, gave Stockton a 9-3 lead. He added two more in the second half.