Mowden sights on another cup run

The once-proud hosts reached the cup final in 1977, when they lost to Gosforth, but their slide of recent years shows little sign of halting as they have shipped 50 points in their last two games in Division Two.

They are still one division ahead of Mowden, but on current placings that could be reversed next season.

The winners tomorrow will be at home in two weeks to Dudley Kingswinford or Nottingham, who are the only team below Waterloo in Division Two.

"The players have the bit between their teeth," said Mowden's chairman of rugby John Parkinson.

"Waterloo is not quite the intimidating place to visit it used to be, and with the prospect of a home game against Dudley or Nottingham the lads fancy another cup run."

With Jonny Golightly ruled out for two weeks by a knee injury, Mark Bedworth returns at centre, while Ian James is back at lock. He is partnered by Jon Marston as Steve Sanderson is unavailable.

Mick Kent and John Stewart, the two backs who missed the first game because they were winning a national cup with Teesside Steelers, are on the bench.

Former West Hartlepool flanker David Blyth continues to give sterling service to Waterloo, but ex-West and Newcastle utility back Phil Belgian has moved on.

Also in the cup, Blaydon entertain Fylde, who have won three of their four games in Division Two under the guidance of player-coach Dave Baldwin, the former Sale and England A lock.

But Baldwin is not named in the team tomorrow, and with the winners away to Norwich or Stroud there is every incentive for Blaydon to aim for the fourth round.

At that stage the likelihood is they would be away to Plymouth Albion - an 830-mile round trip.

Blaydon switch Andy Wright from open side flanker to scrum half, where he has some experience with the Newcastle Falcons Development XV.

He finished last week's game in the No 9 shirt after Ben Mason went off and also played there in a pre-season friendly against Sedgley Park.

New Zealander Dean Elmiger comes in for his senior debut at open side and James Houghton returns at lock as Jason Oakes cracked an elbow last week and is out for six weeks.

Two of Blaydon's overseas signings, winger Barney Vorster and fly half Sam Howe, continue to be kept out by Graeme Spearman and David Dalrymple.

Darlington have no game in North Division One as scheduled opponents Hull Ionians are still in the cup, while Middlesbrough are at home to Halifax.

Boro keep the side which won at Wigton last week, which means former flanker Tim Sawyer will again be hooking.

In North Two East, Stockton entertain Alnwick.

Mark Gilchrist comes in at prop for Gary Skirving and Jamie Brown returns at open side for Joe Green.

Pedro Salahshouri is expected to be fit to replace Andy Bare on the wing.

The draw for the second round of the Intermediate Cup on October 13 has thrown up several derbies, notably Stockton v Billingham, Hartlepool Rovers v Horden and Northern v Gosforth.

With several ex-Stockton players in their ranks, Billingham have closed the gap on their neighbours and are only one division behind, lying second in Durham and Northumberland One.

It's the same scenario for Gosforth at Northern, having climbed up three divisions since having to start at the bottom following the old Gosforth's transformation into Newcastle Falcons.

The tie will rekindle memories of old Boxing Day derbies and the clubs are hoping to attract as many former players as possible to a lunch before the game.

Redcar v Acklam is another tie which promises to be keenly contested, with former West Hartlepool teammates Paul Beal and Shaun Cassidy coaching the respective sides.

Other ties involving North-East clubs are: Alnwick v Houghton, Consett v Ryton, Penrith v Northallerton.

The draw for the Junior Knockout Cup second round on October 13 includes: Blyth v Durham Constabulary, Seaton Carew v Barnard Castle, South Tyneside Coll v Novos, Wallsend v Bishop Auckland, Windermere v Yarm.