THE two Darlington rugby clubs have recruited heavily over the summer, although both are concerned that their National Three North rivals have been trawling the world and splashing the cash.
It is believed there could be more than 50 Pacific Islanders playing at this level this season, and Darlington Mowden Park have signed two new Tongans as well as retaining Kelekolio Paino.
It is hoped that Paino will shortly have a back operation, which has twice been postponed, and will be fit by Christmas.
Mowden, who entertain Alnwick in a friendly match today (2.15) have also signed South Africa Under 21s fly half Michael Georgius, plus a glut of back row men, including former West Hartlepool stalwart Paul Evans.
They will be coached by Barnard Castle School coach Martin Pepper, with last season's player-coach Richard Arnold now in charge at Westoe.
Arnold has persuaded the Haswell brothers, David and Graham, to rejoin their home club from Darlington, which represents a step down of two levels for the talented Durham School products.
Darlington have also lost flanker Andrew Carphin, but at least he has moved in an upward direction by joining Harrogate, while Mark Butler has retired and will organise the junior rugby.
Most of the recruitment at Blackwell Meadows has been of local youngsters, including three from Middlesbrough in Lee Davis, Chris Jones and Chris Snaith.
Davis, 19, is one of four potential first team goal-kickers as the club have sought to address their main weakness from last season.
Full back David Glendenning has rejoined the club, but the most likely kicker might prove to be fly half or centre Andrew Turner, who has joined from Horden.
Another kicker is 19-year-old full back David Kell, signed from Gateshead, who played for the England Under 16 Schools A team.
Darlington are crossing the border to play a Jedforest Development XV today before starting their league campaign at Rugby next week, when Mowden are at home to Cleckheaton.
Both clubs must wait until September 18 for action in the Powergen Cup, which kicks off today with qualifying round ties, followed by the preliminary round next week.
West Hartlepool entertain Redcar with the winners away to Morpeth or Hull, while Stockton visit Percy Park with a trip to Blackburn or St Benedict's awaiting the winners.
Prop Mark Cholmondeley has returned to West from Otley and lock Phil Henderson has joined from TDSOB.
Ex-colt James Samson has returned to the club and could play at lock in the absence of Andrew Davies, whose 12-week suspension for abusing an official at Westoe lasts until November 13. Another lock, Paul Rudd, is on three months' training with the Fire Service.
Prop Craig Chapman has rejoined Stockton from Otley and they have also recruited ex-Wakefield and Leeds Academy scrum half Rob Green.
Former skipper Derek Muirhead will be helping Alan Brown with the coaching, but Brown, Steve Thornton, Nicky Poole and Jamie Hauxwell are all unavailable today. Ex-colts winger Phil Bieda will make his senior debut.
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