BLAYDON know they need to learn a harsh lesson regarding discipline in National Two after losing 17-15 at home to a less creative Manchester side.

The visitors' only try came from a driving maul, but Gareth Wynn kicked four penalties while his team-mates conceded only one within kicking range.

The referee told Blaydon to release the ball more quickly, but their failure to heed the warning cost them dear.

New fly half Scott Kennedy kicked a penalty which levelled the scores before Blaydon went ahead just before half-time. After a good forward drive the ball was moved out for Martin Shaw to make a half break and send full back Ralph Smith over.

Manchester's try stemmed from Blaydon failing to find touch with a penalty as the visiting forwards rumbled back then won a line-out and drove over.

Smith went close twice as Blaydon fought back and after a couple of promising runs winger Andy Fenby scored from a 30-yard burst with four minutes left.

James Kyle converted and in the last move of the game Smith made a good run from halfway almost to the posts, where Manchester held out without conceding a penalty.

Tynedale maintained their 100 per cent record in National Three North with a 19-10 win at Bradford and Bingley.

After a fine try by scrum half Alistair Gray, they trailed 7-5 until fly half Rob Miller kicked a penalty just before half-time. The hosts replied to go 10-8 in front, but Tynedale hit straight back with a Miller penalty then good play by the backs produced a try for winger Ben Duncan. Miller's third penalty settled it.

Darlington opened their account in North One with an 18-17 win at home to fellow strugglers Liverpool St Helens, who scored a converted try two minutes from time.

Darlington were competitive up front for the first time this season and the backs looked sharp, with Yarm School product Charlie Catterall showing his pedigree at fly half.

Andrew Tonkin's return at open side made a difference as the defence tightened up, and full back Evan Haigh kicked well.

After an early exchange of penalties he continued a move begun by winger Rory Wood in their own 22 and finished by Tonkin.

Haigh added another penalty from the ten-metre line, but after Liverpool had a player sin-binned they raised their game and scored a converted try just before half-time to trail only 11-10.

Prop Joe Oselton went on at half-time and after 51 minutes Darlington took a quick penalty and drove No 8 Del Lewis over, with Haigh adding what proved a crucial conversion from wide out.

That came with the visitors again down to 14 men, but with 12 minutes left Darlington lock Andrew Harston was sin-binned for a technical offence and they were left hanging on at the end.

It will be much tougher for Darlington on Saturday away to leaders Kendal, whose forward strength earned them a 28-3 win at Middlesbrough.

A penalty by Simon Moore had the score level at 3-3, but Kendal, who have a strong southern hemisphere contingent, drove over for three forward tries and fly half Dan Stephens kicked the rest of the points.

Westoe lost for the first time when they went down 28-6 at Birkenhead Park, where a chargedown try in the first minute was followed by six penalties from fly half Toby Handley.

West Hartlepool maintained their 100 per cent record in North Two East, overturning a 13-point half-time deficit to win at Old Crossleyans.

Aspatria are also unbeaten and the pair are three points clear of Durham City, who won 35-26 at home to Hartlepool Rovers.

City played well, despite being without Jeff Roberts, Michael Hay and Nick Howe, who is out for the season, while Howard Johnson's comeback lasted five minutes.

After toying with the idea of converting second team centre Chris Metcalfe into a forward City drafted him in as a late replacement on the wing and he punched his weight in scoring tries. Back row man Grant Thompson played at centre and also scored.

Rovers quickly overturned a 15-5 half-time deficit with two converted tries, but City scored the next three. Thompson and Stuart Smithson finished line-out drives then Arnie Stevenson chipped over the top and Richard Knowles followed up to touch down.

Stevenson added two penalties and two conversions, while Chris Sainty converted three of Rovers' four tries. The last one came at the death through Paul Kirton following a break from their 22.

Stockton won 32-5 at home to West Hartlepool TDSOB, who look like struggling in D and N One. All the home points came from full back Tom Jeffery, who scored three tries, and fly half Jeremy Good, who kicked five penalties and a conversion.

Redcar's outlay is not paying dividends in Yorkshire One as they lost 40-12 to Sandal, despite tries from Matt Storey and Chris Clitheroe.