Darlington hoping to match Tynedale's spirit

The Corbridge club were among the favourites for relegation in National Three North when they lost several key players in the summer, but it is fourth-bottom Darlington who need the points.

Tynedale have also been badly hit by injuries, notably the paralysis of prop Alistair Johnson at Fylde in September.

He is still in the spinal cord injury centre at Middlesbrough, but has progressed to doing some arm exercises in the gym and was apparently heartened by being joined there recently by another of the club's products, Andy Blyth, whose career was ended by a similar injury.

The latest misfortune to befall Tynedale was flooding three weeks ago, with the water rising almost to the crossbars on their pitches and to three feet in the clubhouse.

They did Darlington a favour last week by halting third-bottom Dudley Kingswinford's revival with the last kick of the match at Corbridge.

National Three North's Player of the Month for December, full back Will Massey, kicked the long-range effort to secure a 24-22 win and keep Tynedale in fourth place.

They hope to have skipper and first-choice kicker Phil Belgian back after injury today and also have Newcastle Academy lock Sean Tomes in the squad. He played a couple of games for Mowden Park last season.

Darlington are relieved that Craig Lee, Richard Snowball and Michael Taylor have all recovered from last week's injuries.

They have opted to keep Matt Dilworth alongside Snowball at lock, but Fijian Joe Naga, who can play anywhere in the back five, is on the bench and will play a part.

Phil Lancaster is also on the bench as Paul Scott has a shoulder injury, while newcomer Neil Howe was unable to train on Thursday so David Kell will be on the wing with David Glendenning at full back.

Mowden have had to prevail on Dave Sinclair to play one last time at Rugby Lions before leaving for New Zealand on Wednesday.

It is just as well for them that his departure has been delayed as he has continued to defy his back problem for the club he has served diligently for seven years.

Danny Brown has been advised by the Newcastle physio not to play because of a shoulder problem, while Ian Keeligan is on the bench after playing when not fully fit for the last two weeks.

Apart from Brown, two other Falcons Development players are injured in No 8 Jason Smithson and winger James Hamer, who suffered a calf strain in Monday's match.

Peni Fakalelu will start at loose head, and with Matt Holmes unable to get through training with a neck problem on Thursday, Paul Evans returns at No 8.

As Mowden are now resigned to being without Richard Holborough for the rest of the season, Martin Shaw has taken over the captaincy and will again be at fly half.

Shaun Richardson, from Middlesbrough, is proving a good signing as Holborough's replacement, while the return of powerful centre Matt Howland after a long absence is also going well.

He will be partnered today by Iain Dixon as Mowden experiment with Michael Georgiou at full back and Tom Lauriston on the wing.

Mark Bedworth could be back next week, while Kelekolio Paino makes his long-awaited comeback in the second team.

Blaydon are seeking a sixth successive win at home to third-placed Bradford and Bingley and are hoping Dan Clappison maintains his kicking form.

It deserted him when he took over the captaincy during Dave Guthrie's absence, but he is now back on song and playing well at fly half in the absence of the injured Andy Khan.

Middlesbrough have a crucial match in North Division One away to Altrincham Kersal, one of the clubs they are looking to overhaul in the relegation battle.

The Cheshire club are one of three who are two points ahead of second-bottom Boro, who have Liam Goodall, a colt last year, at scrum half. They are hoping Peter Wright might be fit to return next week.

From having all three Richardson brothers in the team a few weeks ago they are down to one - fly half Dave - as Lee is in the seconds after two weeks' holiday. Neil Baggett and Andy Micklewright team up at centre, while Ben Pattinson returns at No 8 as Richard McRae is unavailable.

Newcastle Academy prop David Wilson is to make his comeback after a nine-month injury absence for his home club Westoe as the North Two East leaders visit Driffield.

Wilson, earmarked by the Falcons as a potential successor to Marius Hurter at tight head, suffered a bad knee injury in last year's Under-19 World Cup.

In the same division West Hartlepool entertain Hartlepool Rovers, whose excellent run since Andy Foreman joined them has seen them leap to fifth in the table.

Rovers lost narrowly at home to West but are now three places and six points ahead of their neighbours and with Jon Wrigley in the squad as well as the three Foreman brothers, they have plenty of talent in the backs.

West have doubts about Martin Todd and Andrew Hare, so 17-year-old Chris Lambert is on stand-by.

Stockton will be without hooker Danny Muirhead for their visit to bottom club Horden, so Glyn Delmar steps in following his return from Yarm. Ian Todd returns and young prop Jon Garbutt will be on the bench.

* Durham Under-20s begin their County Championship programme against Cumbria at Penrith tomorrow (2.15) and will be captained by former Stockton No 8 Scott Powell, now with Harrogate.

Their other games are: Feb 6 v Cheshire (Hartlepool Rovers), Feb 20 v Lancashire (Gateshead), March 6 v Northumberland (Tynedale) and March 20 v Yorkshire (Horden).

Team: R McDermot (Durham Univ), F Monahan (Darlington), P Stevenson (Mowden Park), D Herbert (Durham City), O Brennand, J Rix, J Sobczyk (Durham Univ), A Carr (West Hartlepool), A Small (Hartlepool), S Thundi (Otley), C Wearmouth (Barnard Castle), M Taylor (Darlington), S Palmer (Hartlepool), G Dunnett (Durham Univ), S Powell (Harrogate, capt).

* Westoe have been drawn away to London Two North club Shelford in the quarter-finals of the Powergen Intermediate Cup on February 12.