Darlington Mowden Park continued their fine away form as Robin Eatough led the way with two tries in a 30-17 win at Beverley.

Beaten only once on their travels, Mowden will have their home form tested this week by Chester, who are three places above them in second spot in National Three North.

With Beverley’s first team pitch waterlogged, the match was played on a slightly less wet, smaller pitch and Mowden adapted well.

“It was a big team effort,”

said coach Pete Taylor. “It was on a par with the performance at Birkenhead Park and sets us up nicely for the Chester game.”

The forwards worked the ball up the left before it was moved out for Eatough to score after 14 minutes, Gavin Painter converting from wide out.

Flanker Will McCauley then seized on a Beverley fumble in midfield to race in from 30 metres. Painter again converted and added two penalties for a 20-3 half-time lead.

Eatough’s second came after 48 minutes when the forwards drove up the middle and centre Ian Hodgson made good ground.

The big home forwards rumbled over for two converted tries but the revival was checked by Painter’s third penalty.

The return of coach Chris Hyndman lifted Billingham as they won 37-0 at home to the only team below them, Rochdale.

Both teams showed early signs of rust but once Billingham opened the scoring after 17 minutes they quickly added three more tries to earn the bonus point.

The best was skipper Joe Evans’ second and stemmed from a blistering break by Anth Hyndman.

Andy Evans also touched down and Craig Shepherd sprinted in from long range.

Although Mike Evans was sinbinned just before half-time, the visitors also received a yellow card on the resumption and Chris Hyndman retired with victory looking assured.

Peter Screen scored two tries before Peter Evans added the seventh.

Middlesbrough suffered some late withdrawals and played poorly in a 29-0 defeat at Bradford and Bingley, where they were denied any kickable penalties.

Boro were without their first choice centre pairing as Paul Norris cried off and Rob Bellerby had a knee operation on Friday. He hopes to be fit for next season.

After a slow start, Boro competed quite well but trailed 14-0 at half-time and never threatened after the break. They also lost Jamie Muncer with a twisted knee.

North One East’s top v bottom derby produced a 22-8 win for West Hartlepool in a dour game at the Friarage.

A heavy pitch and a cold wind contributed to the lack of sparkle in a penalty-strewn match. With Adam Howard and Colin Cheslin already ruled out, Darren Thomas and Tom Dixon failed to make it through the warm-up for West.

Chris Sainty gave Rovers the lead with a penalty after six minutes but West hit back with a try from Andy Cheslin, the winger racing in at the corner from Luke Watson’s well-timed pass.

Just before the half hour the ball was again moved along the backs and Gavin Robinson rode a tackle and delivered a scoring pass to Stu Waites. Liam Bailey touched down in injury time to give West a 15-3 lead at the break.

Rovers came back into it when Stuart Grazier seized on a loose ball at a line-out to score after 53 minutes, but West secured the bonus point when Scott Butcher finished well in the right corner after Watson had again delivered a good pass.

Tynedale’s poor form continued with a 27-10 defeat at Wharfedale in National One.

They trailed to two first half tries then sent on Mowden Park and Newcastle Academy product Alex Gray for his debut in the back row, only to see him sin-binned after two minutes.

Wharfedale scored again before Tynedale’s first real attack produced a try in the corner for Alan Rogers. Gavin Beasley converted and added a penalty.

Westoe made it 13 wins out of 14 in National Two North when they battled through the mud for a 19-10 home victory against Preston Grasshoppers.

No 8 Miles Scott and prop Gareth Nesbit drove over for tries as Westoe led 12-5 at the interval and the same pair combined from a five-metre scrum for skipper Nesbitt to score again.

Mark Bedworth’s second conversion put the game beyond the visitors, although their late domination did produce one try.

Darlington had to scrap for a 15-10 home win against Stockton, the only team to beat them this season.

The visitors were forced into a pre-match reshuffle which saw ex-Darlington coach Craig Lee step in at fly half, with Jeremy Good going to centre and Craig Slaughter to the back row.

But they successfully stifled Darlington’s hopes of playing free-flowing rugby and defended gallantly.

Darlington dominated possession in the first half but several driving mauls were dragged down short of the line.

The home backs were also stopped just short as they attempted to move the ball wide and a scoreless first half ended with Stockton lock Matt Doherty being sent off following a brawl.

Darlington finally went ahead through a Nick Baldwin penalty but still struggled to build on it.

Eventually they managed to keep the ball off the ground and created space for skipper Andy Hodgkins to score two fine tries.

Good kicked a penalty for Stockton inbetween and after going 15-3 down they got on top. With 13 minutes left the forwards drove over for No 8 Scott Powell to touch down, Good adding a fine conversion.

In the last ten minutes Stockton battered away at the line and ran several penalties.

Darlington ferociously repelled every effort but slipped a further point behind leaders Gateshead.

They maintained their record of achieving the fourtry bonus in every match as they thrashed Medicals 71-7.