DURHAM'S preparations for the County Championship have been thrown into disarray with several players withdrawing from the squad.

With the first match away to Cheshire on May 1, a training session scheduled for Thursday was cancelled and assistant coach Craig Lee said: "It has been a hard year for most of us.

"It is an honour to represent your county and we could have a good team. But most of the players want a rest and to spend some time with their families before they start training again in June."

Lee is one of 12 Darlington players in the squad, but lock Richard Snowball has withdrawn because of exams and scrum half Rob Stewart because he is pursuing a new career.

Lee has a back injury which is forcing him to miss Darlington's match at home to National Three North leaders Halifax today, while his brother Paul is still out.

They both hope to return against their former club Stockton in Wednesday's Durham Cup tie, when flankers Martin Howe and Andy Carphin will also be back. Both are on the bench after missing last week's game at Blaydon, so Ian Fulwood and Rob Goddard continue to deputise.

Richard Lang comes in at fly half and Lee said: "He has been getting good reports in the second team so it's a good opportunity to have a look at him. Richard Snowball is resting, so Tom Wilkinson and Richie Taylor are going to have to earn their corn in the second row."

Darlington Mowden Park complete their season with a trip to Kendal and will be without Richard Arnold and Danny Brown as both are required as part of Newcastle Falcons' marketing team at Twickenham.

Ian Keeligan will return for Brown at prop and it is hoped Tony Irwin will be fit to resume in the back row. Luke Monument is available in the back five.

Full back Iain Dixon returns after a broken nose, so Mark Bedworth could start on the bench.

The seven Mowden players asked to play for the county have not yet committed themselves, which is hardly surprising in the case of Kelekolio Paino as he is not fit.

Blaydon can still pip Mowden for third place and their match at Tynedale will be played tomorrow so as not to clash with the Powergen Cup final. All the proceeds will go towards the Soa Otuvaka benefit fund.

In North Two East all the interest is at the bottom as Middlesbrough go to Westoe knowing they are guaranteed second place and a home play-off for promotion next week.

In the battle to avoid the drop West Hartlepool have a key role to play. If they win at home to third-bottom Bridlington there will be no worries for Stockton, Horden and Redcar.

Stockton, hoping to dent the 100 percent record of visitors Hull, give fitness tests to Mattie Oates and Dannie Taylor, while Horden visit Morpeth hoping their hosts' failure to grab second place will have sapped their will to win.