Darlington have defended their right to compete in the national leagues and contest the Durham Cup, despite confirmation that they will not receive the county trophy.

They beat Westoe in the final in August after their opponents' intransigence forced the match to be held over from last season.

After two months of deliberations the county decided to accept a sub-committee's recommendation this week that the cup should be withheld on the grounds that Darlington fielded an ineligible player in Alan Brown.

A further recommendation that they should be kicked out of this season's cup was defeated. Among the clubs who supported Darlington were Blaydon, who went out of their way to ensure the cup moved forward last season and were not impressed when Westoe failed to follow suit.

It has been announced that the cup will be awarded to Westoe, although they previously stated that they had no wish to receive it in such circumstances.

After signing Brown from Stockton during the summer, Darlington insist he met the eligibility requirements. He was not cup-tied because he did not play in the cup for Stockton last season, he had paid his membership fees and he had played for Darlington in an official pre-season match prior to the cup final. Three other new signings were not considered because they were cup-tied.

The county have not informed The Northern Echo of their decision, or their reasons for it, but it is understood they feel they had made clear that only last season's squad members should play in the final.

Darlington chairman Bill Jones said in a statement: "Although we continue to believe that all our players were qualified to play in the final we accept entirely that it is for Durham County to interpret their own rules.

"The decision of the county to allow Darlington to take part in the cup this season is welcomed by the club's management and players. We sincerely hope that the congested fixture lists which have brought confusion to the cups in recent seasons can be avoided in order to ensure that the cup's destination is decided on the pitch and not in the committee room.

"There are those who believe it is not possible to be both a national league club and a Durham County club. The county secretary has been open enough to say so, but we disagree and value our membership of the county union. The club will continue to encourage Darlington members to work for the benefit of rugby throughout the county structure."

No 8 Brown has since become National Three North's leading try scorer with 11 and will be looking to add to his tally in today's home match against Tynedale, which kicks off at 2.15.

At 38 he will not be the oldest in the squad because lack of front row cover is forcing coach Phil Lancaster to sit on the bench.

Dan Miller saw a specialist yesterday about a damaged knee ligament which is expected to keep him out for a few more weeks, while hooker David Taylor is unavailable.

Rob Goddard replaces Taylor in the only change and prop Ali Carter joins Lancaster, Del Lewis and skipper Paul Lee on the bench.

Lee has missed the last two games with a groin injury and will go on only if necessary, while Lewis has been on holiday and faces a fight to regain his place.

Player-coach Craig Lee said: "Michael Taylor wants to play in the back row and he has that chance with Stuart Palmer and Richard Snowball giving us a good balance in the second row. They are both grafters and complement each other well.

"If Phil has to come on it will be for scrummage and line-out purposes. It's primary ball we are concerned about."

Darlington Mowden Park could also be stretched in the front row if Danny Brown fails to shake off flu, but they have signed a South African prop, Chad May, who came up from Wales with lock Naude Pretorius and will be on the bench.

Mowden and Blaydon are away to the bottom two, Kendal and New Brighton, who already look doomed to relegation.

Blaydon recall locks Dave Whitehead and Paul Clark, switching Dave Guthrie to blind side, with Ed Thorpe returning at No 8.

Flanker Pat Segi has a broken toe but hopes to be fit for next week's Powergen National Trophy tie at Nottingham, to which Blaydon are taking three busloads of supporters.

Middlesbrough are desperate for a win at home to North One's bottom club, Whitchurch, and field an unchanged pack with Greg Jacobs staying at No 8 following last week's debut.

Dave Richardson is out with back trouble so Martin Featherstone is at centre and former Leeds University player Koti Gyasi makes his debut on the wing.

The top match in North Two East sees Durham City entertain Hartlepool Rovers, while West Hartlepool bring in Greg Edwards for unavailable centre Allan Milne in their only change at Percy Park.