Mowden welcome back Mitchell at Tynedale

It was against Tynedale that Mitchell made his Mowden debut three years ago in a narrow defeat in the club's first national knockout cup match.

There were then two divisions between the sides, but while Tynedale have been promoted once, Mowden have gone up every season to reach National Division Three North.

It's a league in which they will face Midlands clubs such as Nuneaton, Stourbridge and Dudley Kingswinford, several Yorkshire clubs, plus West Hartlepool and Blaydon.

When Mitchell left West Hartlepool four years ago, not wishing to be a full-time rugby player, the clubs were six divisions apart.

Mowden have since lost only one league match, at Chester two years ago, and with much the same squad as last season another promotion is not out of the question.

They have suffered a blow with the loss of Tony Irwin, possibly for two months, with a leg injury, while another flanker, Shaun Cassidy, is not available.

But with veteran lock Steve Sanderson opting to continue and former Northern captain Jonny Marston boosting the second row options, Ian James can provide cover for the back row.

Tynedale, who missed the last two months of last season through foot-and-mouth, are perilously close to being back in the same boat, although the RFU have indicated they will take a less sympathetic attitude.

Keith Dungait, a former Scottish Exiles and Morpeth scrum half, makes his debut in place of Simon Clayton-Hibbott, who has retired.

Mowden Park (from): K McCallum, J Golightly, S Jones, M Bedworth, A Elwine, M Howland, K Oliphant, R Woollam, D Brown, T Tuhana, I Keeligan, D Sinclair, S Sanderson, J Marston, I James, D Mitchell, D McKinnon, A Radaelli.

With John Stabler still coaching, West Hartlepool kick-off at Nuneaton with New Zealander Jamie Connolly back at centre after playing for Worcester and Italians Aquila in recent seasons.

He was taken to Aquila by former West coach Mike Brewer, who has suddenly resurfaced, aged 35, apparently intending to play for Bracknell.

West twice beat Bracknell in the national cup a few years ago, but are now two divisions below the Berkshire club, who have risen to National League One under the coaching of former England prop Paul Rendall.

David Grand, a centre or winger from Horden, makes his West debut, while former Hartlepool Rovers pair Michael Walton and Andrew Lilley are at fly half and full back. Last season's full back Mark Laycock has joined Newcastle Falcons.

Blaydon, promoted with Mowden, have registered 15 new players and among those making their debuts at Morley is South African centre Barney Vorster.

He will be partnered by last season's player of the year Gareth King, with Iain Dixon named at full back. Also making their debuts are former Newcastle pair Andy Wright (flanker) and James O'Malley (wing), while former Wales Under 21 lock David Falconer has returned to the club and comes straight in.

Among the other signings is former England Schools fly half James Lofthouse, who was with West Hartlepool two years ago and joined Otley last season.

Blaydon are captained by back row man Dave Guthrie for the eighth successive season.

Darlington, who have a home friendly against Selby today, are hoping Rob Stewart will be available for their opening North One match against Driffield next week.

They need the England Sevens scrum half to deputise for David Andrew, who broke an arm in last week's cup defeat at Winnington Park.

Stockton welcome back Lee Richardson after missing the whole of last season, while Alan Brown, Brett Wildridge and Steve Thornton have also recovered from long-term injuries. Winger Pedro Salahshouri and prop Craig Chapman are also back after spending time last season with Leeds U-21s.

New flanker Gary Barnard, recruited from the Navy, makes his debut in today's friendly at Hartlepool Rovers.

Among former North-East players on the move are: Chris Murphy (ex West lock) Rotherham to Leeds; Tim Foster (ex Darlington fly half) Leeds to Otley; George Truelove (ex West wing) Saracens to Coventry.