Darlington are to lose last season's England Schools prop Dan Miller to Bath next year.

Still only 18, the former Richmond School pupil has recently become a fixture in Darlington's first team, helping them to a 96-7 win at home to York on Saturday.

He has been offered a place at Bath University to take a sports coaching and development course run by former Bath and England prop John Mallett.

"He has watched me play and was keen to have me down there," said Dan. "I'm ambitious to get as far as I can in the game and it should be great experience going to Bath.

"I also had a call from Harlequins at the end of last season and I'm still in touch with them."

The son of Tom Miller, who played first team rugby as a second row for 25 years for Darlington, Dan was just short of his sixth birthday when he started with the minis.

"Dad never pushed me but he has always helped and encouraged me," he said. "I've also had a lot of help from our coach Phil Lancaster. I feel a bit guilty about keeping him on the bench at the moment."

A hamstring injury at the start of the season forced Dan to sit out the England Under 19 training sessions but he still hopes to be considered for three internationals in February followed by a trip to Chile and Argentina in April for the Under 19 World Cup.

Former Darlington clubmate Tim Foster is in the squad for that trip, although he has had problems with a groin injury since joining Leeds Tykes.

Darlington scored after 32 seconds against York and would have passed three figures comfortably had they moved the ball wide more often instead of sticking to the more direct modern method.

They hope to have Paul Lee back at fly half in February following an eye problem which at one stage threatened his future in the game.

York, who have lost all 11 matches in North Two East and had several players missing, never stopped trying. But there really ought to be two divisions between these clubs next season.

Huddersfield's defeat at Goole strengthened the likelihood of Darlington claiming the promotion play-off spot behind unbeaten Halifax, whose points difference is still 96 superior to Darlington's.

The chance to reach 100 against York went begging at the death when Rob Stewart, a second-half replacement for David Andrew, sprinted away up the right touchline and passed inside to Marc Potts, who would have had a clear run to the line had he not dropped the ball.

Darlington scored 16 tries, with David Glendenning converting seven and Potts one from four attempts.

Among those who particularly revelled in the freedom were back row trio Martin Howe, Del Lewis and Bryan Dixon, while left winger Paul Beattie scored four tries.

The first-minute score came when simple handling sent centre Mark Butler under the posts and the other first half tries came from Howe (two), Beattie (two), Andrew and Potts.

It was 38-0 after 23 minutes, but York were allowed 15 minutes of parity and scored a try through their lively scrum half James Arkle after Darlington took a quick line-out and threw the ball straight to the opposition.

As is his wont, Glendenning was keen to get into the action from full back after half-time, scoring two tries, as did Lewis.

Others to get on the scoresheet were Lee, Dixon and Miller, who charged over from a tap penalty ten yards out.

l Darlington Mowden Park are hoping wingers Steve Jones and Chris Mattison will be fit for Saturday's visit of Wigton after both were injured in the 29-21 win at Driffield.

Jones scored an excellent try, beating the full back on a run from halfway, but had to be replaced as he suffered a back injury. Mattison's calf problem also resurfaced, but he had to stay on.

Although it was a tough game, Mowden were always comfortable and could have gone 31-11 had a pass from Kevan Oliphant to Mattison not been intercepted. The opposing winger ran the length of the field to score and the gap came down to 24-21 before Mowden scored a late try.

Mick Kent did well at centre, supplying the scoring pass for Darren McKinnon and Mattison to touch down and he also went under the posts from a scrum five metres out. Oliphant converted three and added a penalty.

Jonathan Malcolm has returned to Middlesbrough from Mowden after seeing his chances limited by Jones's move in the opposite direction.

With Wes Henry currently back home in Ireland, Malcolm played in Saturday's welcome 11-0 win at Wigton and should retain his place for this week's rearranged match at home to Bradford and Bingley.

The victory in Cumbria lifted Boro above their hosts into fourth bottom place, prop Chris Horton scoring the only try while fly half Andy Baggett and centre Steve Graham kicked a penalty each.

League officials will be hoping Boro stay above Wigton as there is every chance three will go down and it would cause complications if all three went into North Two East.

Northern and Stockton continue to look doomed, unless the latter can repeat last season's Houdini act once coach Alan Brown returns to action.

Northern had one of their better shows but still lost 11-3 at home to Sheffield, while Stockton went down 34-21 at Bradford and Bingley.

West Hartlepool will be looking forward to the chance of a victory at home to West Hartlepool TDSOB today after suffering their 13th straight National Division Two defeat on Saturday.

They lost 45-5 at home to Nottingham after trailing 31-0 at the interval. After another converted try, West more or less held their own and Mark Laycock scored a good try