Last updated at 10:47, Monday, 05 November 2012

THE relegation alarm bells are shrilling for Tynedale Rugby Club's 1st XV after their fifth successive defeat left them dangerously close to the drop zone.

A heavy 37-17 defeat at home to fellow strugglers Loughborough Students on Saturday meant they have now lost to all three of the sides currently occupying the relegation places in SSE National League Division One.
And with a tough series of games to come in the run up to Christmas, the club has to face up to the spectre of possible relegation for the first time since league rugby was introduced in 1989.
However, there are still 20 games to go before the end of the season, and club officials are hopeful they can turn the season round.
**For a full report of Saturday's horror show, make sure you buy your Hexham Courant on Friday,

First published at 10:45, Monday, 05 November 2012
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk