Blaydon win

They were also encouraged by achieving such high standards without influential skipper Dave Guthrie, who played for only 20 minutes.

After going off for stitches in a head wound he suffered a twisted ankle on his return and could be doubtful for this week's tough match away to promotion favourites Otley.

Former Newcastle Falcons prop Jimmy Isaacson was also injured after scoring two tries, but he is expected to be fit.

Martin Shaw was outstanding at centre, frequently stealing the ball in the tackle, while winger Andy Fenby took on opponents every time he had the ball and was rewarded with two tries.

New South African centre David Manuel impressed, as did full back Ralph Smith, while James Kyle went on for the second half and formed a useful half back partnership with his brother Dan.

Blaydon gave themselves a big lift when No 8 Peter Altona was sin-binned shortly after they had seen a 26-9 half-time lead reduced to 26-21. While he was off Isaacson appeared on the wing and ploughed over from 15 metres and there was no response from Halifax.

The visitors initally took the lead with a penalty, but then the ball went along the Blaydon line for Fenby to score before Shaw took a quick penalty near the posts and Altona scored in the corner.

Dan Kyle added the first of his four conversions and after a series of forward moves Isaacson powered over from ten metres.

Shaw burst through the middle to score just before half-time, but Halifax followed their third penalty with two quick tries after the break.

Then came Isaacson's second, followed by a simple try for James Kyle when the ball shot out of the side of a maul.

Fenby's second came in injury time following a midfield turnover, but there was still time for Halifax to score at the death from a wheeling scrum.

Darlington Mowden Park suffered the worst possible preparation for this week's trip to National Three North leaders Tynedale when they lost 24-17 at home to promoted Beverley.

Those who have played at a higher level are struggling to make an impact as Mowden try to develop a more open game, and midfield turnovers cost them this match.

They lost No 8 Jason Smithson at half-time with a torn thigh muscle which will keep him out for several weeks, and it proved a difficult debut for another back row man with Newcastle experience, Ed Williamson.

Paul Vinnicombe shone as Smithson's replacement, and his ex-Blaydon colleague Chris Stewart also did well when he went on for lock Chris Dodd.

Hooker Shaun Buckley and the back three of Iain Dixon and the Foreman brothers could not be faulted, but for most of the others it was a poor day.

Playing against the wind, Mowden outplayed their visitors for 25 minutes but had nothing to show for it. They then conceded three tries, all from midfield turnovers, to trail 19-0 at half-time.

Mowden were back in it early in the second half, when prop Robbie Kalbraier scored a catch-and-drive try then they went straight back on the attack and forced a series of scrums near the line.

Beverley were lucky to escape punishment as they either took the scrum down or lifted it up, but Rob Stewart finally grabbed the ball and nipped over on the blind side.

A conversion by Jon Benson made it 19-12, but midway through the second half Beverley broke out and missed tackles gave them a soft try.

Williamson finished off a forward drive for Mowden, but it wasn't enough and they will fear a repeat of last season's drubbing at Tynedale, who won 35-5 at Caldy.

Phil Belgian converted three of the four tries in a personal tally of 20 points, which included a try and three penalties, on of them from his own half.

Full back Rob McDermott, No 8 Andrew Murray and fly half Rob Miller also scored.

Durham and Northumberland One promotion favourites Horden won 36-26 at Stockton, who couldn't get their hands on the ball for the first 20 minutes then lost their way late in the game as the visitors overturned a 26-21 deficit.

Andrew Turner kicked four penalties for Horden and with the score on 26-26 Stockton turned their backs when they expected him to go for goal, only to concede a soft try.

With Keith Etherington and Phil Austen unvailable, Stockton were encouraged by the debut at lock of ex-colt Conrad Tempest.

Three penalties by Jeremy Good, one from his own half, were followed by tries for Tom Jeffery, Peter Armstrong and replacement Matt Taylor.

In North Two East, West Hartlepool hung on for a 29-21 win at Morpeth after leading 26-0 with 20 minutes left, while Durham City won 16-7 at home to Aldwinians.