DESPITE keeping the game tight for most of the first half, Blaydon crashed to a third consecutive defeat, losing 38- 5 at Stourbridge.

After a tight first half, a host of Blaydon errors handed the game to the home side.

Home full-back and man of the match Craig Richards crossed for two tries in quick succession, and other scores were added by Adam Sturdy and Simon Frewin.

In the final minute of normal time, Blaydon salvaged some pride with a flowing move that Baggett completed, but Stourbridge still had time to secure a late try and conversion.

Mistakes in defence cost Westoe who went down 38-31 at Broadstreet who, like the Shieldsmen, had been promoted into National Two North this season.

Leading 19-17 at half-time, Westoe gradually let the game slip from them but had the consolation of taking both bonus points.

Tries were scored by flanker Aaron Myers, number eight Michael Ellery, scrum half Peter Phelan and winger James Walker who limped off with a dead leg.

Westow director of rugby Andy Howells said: “There were too many individual mistakes and they cost us the game. That is something we must address.

“But you couldn’t fault anyone for lack of effort and enthusiasm and the two bonus points were a big plus.”

Tynedale’s five tries weren’t enough to see off the challenge of league leaders Esher who ran out 42-27 winners.

As well as suffering only their second home defeat in the league in three years, Tynedale also had lock forward Andrew Murray sent off.

They took the lead on three minutes, a drive from a line out ended with centre Spencer Davey crossing for an unconverted try.

Esher hit back with three tries of their own, taking the score to 21-5.

Tynedale rallied with Davey grabbing his second try from a chip by scrum half Harry Peck. But sloppiness undid their good work and Esher were ahead 34-10 at the interval.

Esher fly half David Sieman, who ran three quarters of the length of the field to score an unconverted try before Tynedale rallied. Winger Alan Rogers scored a try but again it was unconverted.

Tynedale piled on the pressure and scored a try converted by Gavin Beesely, before Murray’s rush of blood when he was judged to have used his boot to remove an Esher man lying across the ball. A verbal exchange with the referee saw his yellow card turn to red.

Esher sealed the game in the late stages with a penalty and a try.

West Hartlepool suffered a 27-10 defeat at Morley. The home side scored an early try through Chris Morgan before Paul Moss pulled three points back with a penalty, but left winger Simon Bradshaw got his own penalty before touching down in his own corner on 20 minutes. The home side extended their lead with another Morgan try which was converted.

Both tries were scored with Tom Dixon in the sin bin after a harsh decision by former Rugby League referee Carl Fitzgerald.

Some excellent West forward play went unrewarded until Phil Wallis spotted Tom Wilson out wide and delivered a superb kick for the young full back to gather. He sidestepped two defenders to go in beside the post.

Despite losing two fly halves to injury in the opening 30 minutes Middlesbrough secured a 19-12 victory at home to Beverley.

Simon O’Farrell limped off with a leg injury that could see him sidelined for threefour weeks before Calum Campbell went off with a less serious knock.

Rob Bellerby scored a try with Campbell converting.

Beverley hit back to level the scores at half time. Boro secured the points courtesy of a penalty try and conversion before Gordon Brand’s try meant that the visitors late flourish wasn’t enough.

Darlington Mowden Park suffered a 27-12 home defeat to Chester but the score did not reflect the flow of the game. Danny Brown scored an early try as home side began brightly before some costly errors allowed Chester to take the lead.

A rolling maul led to number eight, newcomer Mace Poloie touching down. Despite a strong second half showing from Park, Chester had enough to take the points.

Billingham edged victory in their derby against Hartlepool Rovers, winning 23-21.

A late try from Shaun Richardson saw Darlington win 25-18 at Durham City.

After being 12-0 after 25 minutes Joe Oselton scored a try from a driving maul that was unconverted. City increased their lead with two penalties.

But a Nick Balwin penalty and debut try from Tom Lawson, converted by Baldwin put Darlington back in the driving seat. Oselton touched down a second time before Richardson’s try in the corner on 75 minutes secured the win for the visitors.