WEST Hartlepool have been accused of "sour grapes" after citing a Catterick-based Fijian for the violent tackle he made on their 17-year-old winger Chris Lambert in last week's Durham Cup tie at Darlington.

"It was a high tackle, but he wouldn't have meant any harm by it," said former West player Craig Lee, now Darlington's player-coach. "West need to accept that some clubs in the county have overtaken them."

Three Fijians went on at various times in the second half and there were the usual identification difficulties. But it seems the perpetrator of the tackle was Phillip Qaimura, who had gone on for his debut only ten minutes earlier.

"He's a young man making his first appearance and he probably just wanted to make an impression," said Lee. "These Fijians are shy people. There's nothing nasty or malicious in them, but the way they play in the Pacific Islands they like to make their tackles count."

Lambert, who had just scored an interception try and looked lively throughout his debut, was left dazed and bleeding, and was taken straight to his father's dentist's surgery for repairs to damaged teeth. The referee, Steve Havery, spoke to Qaimura but did not issue a card.

West allege that Qaimura used clenched fists and are calling on video evidence to support their case.

Lee added: "There was a scuffle at one point, but it wasn't a bad-tempered game and I thought Steve Havery dealt with the incident adequately. It's a physical game and you have to expect a few knocks."

There is bound to be another talking point when Darlington entertain Macclesfield in National Three North today following news that the drug testers' visit to Blackwell Meadows in November has resulted in a Cleckheaton player being banned for two years.

It was jokingly suggested at the time that Cleckheaton's player-coach John Bentley, the former British Lion, had pulled out of the match at the last minute to avoid being tested.

It has now been announced that centre James Mortimore's two samples showed traces of cannabis and he is the first player in English rugby to test positive since May, 2003.

Cleckheaton lost the match 40-12, starting their slide down the table to the third relegation place in which the North-East clubs hope to keep them, starting with today's visit to Blaydon.

Darlington will be at full-strength today other than the absence of injured lock Tom Wilkinson and Andy Carphin, who is still contracted to Harrogate.

They expect to start with Paul Scott at loose head and Joe Oselton on tbe bench alongside Fijians Joe Naga and Koro Niubalavu.

Darlington Mowden Park will be without first-choice locks Ian Robinson and Naude Pretorius at Kendal after both failed to come through training.

Fosita Tanginoa will pack down alongside Luke Monument, who was sent off for a second yellow card offence at Blaydon last week and faces an RFU hearing early next month.

Mowden held their own inquest and as both cards were for technical offences they decided no further action was necessary.

With scrum half Shaun Richardson and centre Matt Howland back after injury, Peter Phelan and Tom Lauriston revert to the wings.

In the interests of maintaining team spirit, Mowden have declined an offer from Newcastle to have hooker Stuart Mackie on the bench. He would not be available next week as he is in the England Under-21 squad for the match against Ireland in Dublin, along with Falcons teammates Toby Flood and Lee Dickson.

Blaydon will give a late fitness test to skipper Dave Guthrie and if he fails it they could switch Justin Clarke from prop to lock. Peter Kilburn is back at centre and David Grand on the wing for the injured Rob Windle, whose brother Richard has recovered from a broken leg and will be on the bench.

l Durham Under-20s welcome back skipper Scott Powell, the Stockton product now with Harrogate, Barnard Castle lock Chris Wearmouth, Durham City centre Matthew Wright and Durham University scrum half Jon Sobczyk.for tomorrow's match against Lancashire at Gateshead (2.15).