SKIPPER Mick Kent will miss Darlington Mowden Park's opening national league match tomorrow in the hope of lifting a national trophy with Rugby League team Teesside Steelers.

As the Steelers' player-coach, Kent has involved several of the Mowden players in the run to the Rugby League Conference grand final against Coventry Bears at Rugby.

But only he and John Stewart, who have played in every game, are excused duty with Mowden in their National Division Three North match at Tynedale.

"The Steelers still have a good squad of players to select from," said Kent.

"We have 18-year-old West Hartlepool winger Gareth Kerr, who is being watched by a couple of top Rugby League clubs, plus his brother Ben, who is 20.

"Ben is a utility player who has turned out for Sale Under 21s and has also signed for Mowden.

"It's good for the North-East that we have reached the final. We won our semi-final 19-14 against Hemel Hempstead, who were the only other unbeaten team in the six divisions."

Kent is also developing his coaching skills in Rugby Union, and has agreed to continue as Mowden skipper.

Among several new recruits at Mowden are ex-Northern players Jonny Marston, a lock, and scrum half Richard Woollam, who is expected to fill in for injury victimPhil Harvey.

The shoulder problem which kept Harvey out at the end of last season is showing little sign of improvement.

Former county colt Kieron Thompson, a centre, has joined from Darlington, while winger Mark Black, the son of Newcastle Falcons' fitness coach Steve Black, has also signed.

The match at Tynedale will go ahead unless the exclusion zone around the latest foot-and-mouth outbreak is extended.

Spectators are advised to get there early with every car attending having to be sprayed with disinfectant.

In the Senior National Cup Middlesbrough, who had a bye in last week's first qualifying round, are at home to Hull Ionians.

If they win they will then be at home to Workington or Westoe on September 15.

Boro, who also entertain Ionians in their opening North One match next week, have one new signing in tomorrow's line-up in lock Ian Robinson.

He partners Dave Hinchley, with Jason Malcolm having returned to Mowden.

No 8 Richard McRae is the new captain, while Jon Wrigley and John Dixon continue as player-coaches, with Dixon one of seven replacements allowed for the cup tie.

Boro have lost flanker Ben Pattinson to Newcastle Falcons and fly half Andrew Baggett is expected to join Wharfedale.

Middlesbrough: S Graham, A Micklewright, T Lauriston, I Wilson, D Poole, A Parker, J Wrigley, P Adamson, R Groves, C Horton, I Robinson, D Hinchley, G Fingland, S Wallis, R McRae (capt).