Bradford & Bingley 15, Darlington Mowden Park 12 The Bees followed up their win over second-placed Chester with an even better performance to overcome league leaders Darlington.

Victory came despite the Wagon Laners playing the final 60 minutes with 14 men as Phil Greaves and then Stewart Brewer were given yellow cards for techical infringements before Richard Tafa was sent off for an early bath after taking exception to a late challenge as he kicked through.

In fact, the Bees were briefly down to 13 as Brewer was still off the pitch when Tafa received his marching orders.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, the hosts’ game-plan to use the boot of Phil Greaves and their dominant forwards worked a treat.

The game was won in injury-time by a drop goal from Giles Hetherington, who slotted over after the ball had been recycled following a good drive from Giorgi Lomtadze, It was just reward for a powerful display by the host pack.

Darlington Mowden Park are a fine side but the home side exploited their Achilles heel mercilessly in the second period.

The visiting front row could not cope with the pressure brought to bear on them by Ryan Wederall, James Brown, Jason Moss and, in the final quarter, Eddie Peglau.

Whenever possible the Bees sought to drive at the Mowden Park pack. The coaching of Ronnie Kelly is clearly bearing fruit.

It led to a penalty try being awarded in the 54th minute as the blue and white scrum folded in on itself on the line once too often.

The game had begun brightly, with both sides trying to play running rugby.

In the first few exchanges, it was the visiting back line who looked to just have an edge. All the visitors’ points came from first-half penalties, slotted over by full back Grant Connon after five, 25, 30 and 40 minutes.

The Bees were guilty of over-elaborating but when they did register, it was a score that will be long remembered at Wagon Lane.

After 15 minutes, players were disputing a Bees penalty on the right-hand touchline when Richard Tafa took a quick tap penalty to himself and launched a huge punt across the field in the direction of the far upright.

Tafa had spotted Giles Hetherington loitering on his own way out on the left wing and he caught the ball and dotted down unopposed.