DAN Harper is hoping to bow out on a high note when he ends his two-year stint with Blaydon in the Durham Cup final against Darlington at Durham City today (2pm).

The powerful prop is flying home to New Zealand tomorrow after playing a big part in establishing the club in the top half of National Three North.

Although they still have to play title hopefuls Waterloo at home next week, Blaydon will finish fourth, six places above today's opponents, although Darlington would have been eighth had they not had two points deducted.

The two league meetings between the clubs have gone with home advantage and a close final is expected as Darlington attempt to keep the cup in the town for the seventh successive year.

It is a repeat of the 2001 final, when Darlington won a superb game 33-19 to take the cup for the first time. They retained it the following season then Mowden Park regained it following their hat-trick in 1998-2000.

Darlington will be at full strength with centre David Haswell and flanker Andrew Carphin returning to the squad which won Wednesday's semi-final at Stockton 44-0.

If Haswell plays Mark Butler will have to move out to the wing for what could be his farewell appearance as he is threatening to retire.

Graham Haswell had an excellent game at full back against Stockton, where a second pair of brothers featured as James Snowball went on at scrum half to join established lock Richard.

It is hoped a third pair will be involved today if hooker Dan Oselton can get back from Bath University to join prop Joe in the squad. Joe could start as Dan Miller went off with a hamstring strain on Wednesday.

With Matt Dehaty ruled out, Blaydon are pleased to have former Northumbria University captain Peter Kilburn fit to play at centre.

Skipper Dave Guthrie is to have a fitness test after missing last Sunday's 22-3 defeat at Tynedale with a dead leg, but he is expected to play.

There is also a doubt about No 8 Matt Cook because of an eye infection, so Blaydon were last night checking the eligibility of Jason Smithson.

He is to be released by the Newcastle Academy and after switching his registration from Mowden Park to Blaydon he played for them at Tynedale.

But the fact that he played for Mowden in a Powergen Cup match at the start of the season could rule him out.

* Tynedale have been told by the RFU that their National Three North match at Longton, scheduled for next Saturday, will not be played.

The Stoke-based club, who are well adrift at the bottom, will not have the use of their ground because of cricket and as Tynedale are in mid-table it has been decided to call the match a 0-0 draw.

* Billingham will have only skipper Chris Ker missing, following an accident at work, for the Durham Intermediate Cup final against Durham City at Darlington (3pm).

They lost heavily to City in a recent league match, but have several players back from injury and expect to be competitive in their second appearance in three years in the final.

Spectators wishing to travel on the team bus are asked to be at the clubhouse at 12.30.