We looked jaded against Tynedale on Saturday and were even more lethargic at Darlington. It has been a long hard punishing season for a small squad and they deserve their summer break for keeping the club alive. At least it looks as though we have done to earn a place in next season's Powergen Cup.

This was a big game for Darlington in front of a fair crowd including many from West. They set off at a great rate of knots scoring two tries in the first ten minutes and going on to run up 32 points in the first half. If full back David Glendenning had brought his kicking boots we would have been even more humbled.

We had little to show in the first half. Sawyer got himself yellow carded by the worst ref we have had all season. It was for a punch but he let all sorts of other things go including a three minute mugging of Allan Milne by his opposite number just ten yards from the official. Milney admitted to spear tackling the centre but that didn't deserve what went on on the ground.

To rub salt in the wounds ref Andrew Gardner allowed play to go on throughout this disgraceful incident until Darlington actually scored. If this is what we have to look forward to next season form the officials then we had better double the squad.

Stabs brought himself on at half time and settled things down to the extent where the scoring after the break was just 10-5. Brett went over after some pressure in the corner for nothing more than a consolation.

A frustrated Gareth Kerr produced the run of the match when he gathered a kick in his own 22 and obviously thought "Sod this" and took on most of the darlington side before being hauled down sixty metres later.

Darlington go on to face local rivals Mowden in the final. Don't be at all surprised if they win as they are a very competent outfit with a lot of pace both in the pack and in the backs.

I'll be rooting for Ollie and his hospitable mates at Mowden.