THE eight rugby clubs in Hartlepool are exploring means of reversing the game's decline within the town.

Hartlepool has a long tradition as a rugby hotbed, but the rise of West was accompanied by Rovers' decline, and now West have suffered four successive relegations and will not be playing national league rugby next season.

Durham County secretary Chris McLoughlin, who has a long attachment to West Hartlepool TDSOB, said: "The clubs in the town used to field 30 teams, now we are down to 12-14.

"We should have a slogan saying: One Town, Eight Rugby Clubs. But it's both a strength and a weakness. Amalgamation has been mentioned, but in the modern game the biggest weakness is that we can't come together.

"But we are having a series of meetings and four or five clubs are involved in a youth initiative, getting into the schools and linking them in with the clubs.

"We are discussing other ways forward and could have a poster campaign in factories, libraries and community centres.

"Some clubs should concentrate on finding adult players, asking: 'where do all the big lads go?'

"We are increasingly told that we are an obese, unfit society and we need to get back to a healthy lifestyle, so we should be knocking on doors and telling people they have a local rugby club.

"The most interesting question we ask is: 'where do you think your club will be in ten years' time'? "Youngsters have a different attitude today and don't want to get involved in administration, but they understand technology such as e-mail and websites, and clubs should use such things to publicise themselves more."

Despite the revamping of the Durham Cups in an effort to prevent clubs opting out, West Hartlepool Amateurs are the latest to withdraw, giving Hartlepool a bye into the Challenge Trophy final. For the third successive season they will face Seaton Carew, who won the toss for home advantage on March 30.

The Senior Cup continues its stuttering progress tomorrow when Blaydon entertain Darlington Mowden Park, with the winners at home to Westoe in the semi-finals.

But already Blaydon have hinted that they might not enter next year because they are putting their Development XV into the Northern Second Teams League.

They will be guaranteed 26 league games plus a cup competition against other National League clubs as they attempt to build a squad strong enough for the first team to reach Division Two.

With the emphasis increasingly on leagues, county competitions are bound to suffer and the County Championship is becoming increasingly marginalised.

It's a straight knockout this year, although first round losers go into a plate.

Durham play holders Yorkshire at Wharfedale on May 4, and the finals are not until June 1.

Durham have a new chairman of selectors in John Groves, a Horden stalwart other than when he played at centre for West Hartlepool and captained them from 1983-85.

A squad has been chosen and the selectors are awaiting confirmation from players about their availability in May.

Those who play in the event are eligible for the England Counties XV for a three-match tour to Chile on June 15-July 1, and Durham have nominated Darlington duo Dan Miller and Rob Stewart.

Back row men Alan Brown and Brett Wildridge hope to be fit to return for Stockton's rearranged match at home to Old Crossleyans tomorrow. Mark Gilchrist replaces Simon Brown at prop.