THE county cup chaos which seems to provide an annual headache for the Durham committee has forced them to bar holders Darlington Mowden Park from defending the trophy.

They have also had to insist that the Stockton v Darlington semi-final is played on Wednesday, April 21, only three days before the final.

The first round ties were scheduled for March 6, but injury-ravaged Mowden have been unable to fit in their visit to Stockton.

When they asked for a further week's delay Stockton said they were not prepared to play next Wednesday as they need to beat Hull three days later to guarantee survival in North Two East.

As Stockton had not been responsible for the earlier delay, the county committee felt it would be wrong to throw them out.

But it has now put Darlington in the unwanted situation of being faced with two cup ties in four days. They visit Crow Trees today for a dress-rehearsal of the likely final against Blaydon, who are already through.

County secretary Chris McLoughlin cited the County Championship as a contributory factor in withdrawing Mowden from the cup, although it is believed that some Mowden players in the county squad are considering pulling out.

McLoughlin said: "Mowden Park are the cup holders and the players are determined to defend the trophy, but the committee has decided it would be in the best interests of the county XV and Mowden's injury situation that the club is withdrawn.

"The County Championship starts on May 1 and it is imperative that Phil Lancaster and his selectors inherit a fit group of players for what will be several hectic weeks, hopefully leading to Twickenham on May 22."

As Horden chairman John Groves has stepped down as Durham's chairman of selectors, Lancaster has taken on that role as well as acting as coach.

He has been a loyal county servant since the days when the championship counted for rather more than the end-of-season after-thought it has now become.

Durham visit Winnington Park to play Cheshire on May 1 and win or lose they will be away to Yorkshire or Berkshire the following week. Even if they lose both they will still be required to play again - almost certainly away - on May 15, by which time any initial interest will have long since evaporated.

Durham had hoped to include Blaydon prop Dan Harper, but he is returning to New Zealand, while lock Jimmy Houghton will not be available on May 1 because Blaydon stage their long-delayed league match against Waterloo that day.

Several of their players are also in the Northumberland squad, which will be further decimated by Tynedale's league commitments also spilling over into May.

Houghton is back in the Blaydon team against Darlington today in place of Dave Marwick and centre Peter Kilburn is also added.

Darlington are without flankers Martin Howe and Andy Carphin, winger Frankie Coulson and fly half Paul Lee, who are all unavailable.

Rob Stewart starts on the wing with David Andrew partnering Craig Lee at half back, while Dan Oselton starts at hooker with Rob Goddard switching to the back row. Tom Wilkinson also moves to the back row, with Richie Taylor coming in at lock.

James Snowball and Luke Dent, products of the club's junior system, join Lancaster and Joe Oselton on the bench.

Mowden kick off at 2pm at home to Tynedale to enable players and fans to go to the Soa Otuvaka benefit match at Newcastle, which kicks off at 6.30.

With both the Falcons and Global Chiefs naming large squads, Eni Gesinde is the only Newcastle Academy player available to Mowden.

Richard Arnold is making his comeback after injury for the Chiefs, fuelling speculation that Mowden have seen the last of him.

It is hoped that Ian Robinson will be fit to resume alongside Gesinde in the second row, while prop Danny Brown has also declared himself fit to return in place of groin injury victim Ian Keeligan.

James Tyrrell replaces Pedro Salahshouri on the wing, otherwise the backs will be unchanged unless Iain Dixon rules himself out after breaking his nose at Blaydon last week, in which case a half-fit Mark Bedworth will again deputise.

The injury situation will force head coach Stuart Whitehead to name himself among the replacements.

Tynedale also have injuries, but Scotland Sevens players Jamie Murray and Paul Boston are back after playing in Hong Kong. They also include Scotland Under 21 winger Ben Duncan.

* Newcastle have sold over 6,000 tickets for tonight's Soa Otuvaka benefit match and are hoping a further 2,000 will pay at the gate. The Falcons' squad includes Jamie Noon and Joe Shaw, who were both injured against Leicester last week.