BLAYDON'S players have opted to pay their own hotel bills tonight so they can be sure of watching the World Cup final in the morning.

Their National Three North match tomorrow is at Macclesfield and they were given the option of leaving at 7am and watching the match en route at Wetherby Rugby Club or breaking the journey with an overnight stay.

They have chosen to stay just off the M62 and will complete the journey to Cheshire after the Australia v England match.

Mid-table Macclesfield sprang a surprise by winning at Tynedale last week and Blaydon are hoping to have powerhouse prop Dan Harper back after injury.

If he isn't fit they could have a problem as Paul Winter is still out and last week's deputy, George Donoghue, has a shoulder injury.

Lock Jimmy Houghton, who reported a Longton player to police after having 21 stitches in an eye injury last month, is ready to play again but might start with a game in the seconds to rebuild his confidence.

Darlington are at home to relegated Kendal, who began the season by conceding 70 points at Mowden Park in the Powergen Cup but are now above Mowden in the league. They are reported to have a big, strong pack but little to worry about in the backs.

Mowden will choose between Tony Irwin and Jon Due for the second row vacancy away to Dudley Kingswinford.

Andy Buist, who played last week, is unavailable and his Newcastle Academy colleague Eni Gisende is unfit.

Martin Shaw is still required by the Falcons - he went off the bench for the last ten minutes of last week's Powergen Cup tie at Rotherham.

"It has been very frustrating," said Mowden's backs coach Kevan Oliphant. "We have not had the same backs line for two weeks running. There is a lot of talent there but we can't get the consistency and rhythm we need.

In North Two East third-placed Middlesbrough visit Sandal, who are next to the bottom, and add prop Jason Littleton to their squad.

It's a game Boro need to win to stay on the heels of the leaders, especially as their Powergen Intermediate Cup run is almost certainly about to end.

They have been drawn away in the fourth round on December 13 to Bradford and Bingley, who have been sweeping all before them in North One and will be among the favourites to win the cup.

The draw has also been unkind to Horden, who are away to Herefordshire club Luctonians. After last week's thrilling cup win at home to Blackbur, Horden visit Westoe tomorrow. The South Shields club are one point behind them in fifth place.

Stockton hope to build on their good win at Northern with a home victory against York, who are one place above them on the same number of points.

Redcar visit Bridlington, while West Hartlepool are at home to Northern.

In the Powergen Junior Vase, Novos will be at home to Seaton Carew, while Northallerton have been drawn at home to a Yorkshire Two club for the second successive round. But fourth-placed Sheffield Tigers could prove a little tougher than Knottingley, who were beaten 18-7 with all three of the home tries coming from second row forwards. Jeff Foster touched down twice and Colin Hall once.

For tomorrow's visit of Wath-on-Dearne Jason Bingley comes in at full back, with Simon Kiddle switching to the wing.

* Newcastle Falcons are opening their West Stand concourse bar at 8.30am tomorrow for the World Cup final, which will be shown on a big screen.

The top-floor restaurant in the West Stand is offering full breakfast with a pint of Guinness for £15.