We can be simply the best, say Tynedale

"Consolidation and staying in this league is still the priority but we've proven our strength. I said at the start of the season, and I think it's being proven now, that there is no better XV in the division if we can get everyone in out and we've not got any fitness problems.

"If you look at our points conceded they've always come when we've had little moments of indiscipline and we've been down to 13 or 14 men.

"So if we can cut that out then we'll really be moving forward."

With 34 successive home wins, Tynedale have the best record of any team in the National Leagues - something that Shotton and the players are proud of.

"We do like playing on our home patch and there won't be many teams who fancy coming to our place at the moment," he said.

"For us, getting the monkey of not having won away off our backs was a big development too. It gives us that bit of extra confidence."

Shotton admits his players felt embarrassed by their undeserved derby victory over Blaydon, which came despite heavy pressure from the visitors for much of the game.

Tynedale secured a hard-fought 8-5 win but struggled going forward, largely due to an injury that hampered the attacking impact of fly-half Gavin Beasley.

His kicking was severely affected, but Tynedale felt they had few other options in that position and Beasley was asked to play at less than 100% to help them through.

"It was a hollow victory really," Shotton admitted. "All of our players and coaching staff were very disappointed with our performance - we didn't win the game with any style and we didn't play well at all," he said.

"But like the coach said 'We won ugly' and sometimes that is the name of the game. We defended superbly and we did some great work in our own half."