Darlington'S Alan Brown, National Three North's leading try scorer, has been voted the division's Player of the Month for November after coming third behind October's winner, Blaydon's Martin Shaw.

The clubs clash at Crow Trees today (2.15) and, apart from Shaw, Brown will also be looking to upstage his opposing No 8, long-serving Blaydon captain Dave Guthrie.

Darlington leapfrogged their hosts last week into third place, when Brown's brace against Cleckheaton took his tally to 16 tries, leaving him three clear of Preston Grasshoppers' Oliver Viney at the top.

Blaydon have two games in hand and have a 100 per cent home record, but Darlington's player-coach Craig Lee said: "We normally do quite well against them. We believe our position is justified and we have as many bonus points already as we managed last season.

"We will certainly score points, even if we haven't got a recognised goal-kicker.

"We would love to have one but they are hard to find and usually want a bit of money. There is no pressure on whoever takes the kicks."

That will again be Ben Snook, who will have James Beattie alongside him at centre in what will be a big test for the youngsters against Shaw and Sua Segi.

Lee is ruled out by his knee injury and although he could be fit for next week's home game against Darlington Mowden Park, flanker Martin Howe will not.

His hand injury will keep him out until the January 7 game at Macclesfield.

Michael Taylor switches to open side with Del Lewis returning at No 6, and Lee said: "Del has worked hard to get back in since his holiday and he's a massive part of the squad.

"The award is great news for Alan Brown.

"He should have joined us when we came into the national leagues three years ago, but he had his reasons for staying with Stockton and we respect that.

"He is a quality player, he has fitted in well and has given us the experience we have lacked since Bryan Dixon retired."

Blaydon recall Dan Clappison at fly half, with Richard Windle dropping to the bench.

Nick Williams will be at scrum half as Micky Dungait has a shoulder injury.

The pack is unchanged for the third successive week, with lock Dave Whitehead retaining his place pending the hearing into his dismissal at Hull Ionians last week.

Blaydon will vigorously contest his first yellow card, issued for careless use of the boot, as the video apparently shows he was nowhere near the incident. His second yellow card was for dissent.

The hearing is at the Leeds/Brighouse Holiday Inn on Monday week, when an appeal by Tabua Cakacaka against his 32-week ban will be heard.

The former Gateshead Thunder player was sent off two minutes after going on as a replacement for Darlington Mowden Park against Macclesfield.

As he was only a temporary signing he is unlikely play for Mowden again, but they have agreed to help him.

To most observers, including Macclesfield, what he did was at worst to throw a punch, but the severity of his punishment stemmed from a touch judge saying he had butted an opponent.

Mowden entertain Hull Ionians today and will be on their guard against allowing the visitors' former Bristol No 8 Derek Eves to wind them up.

Skipper Iain Dixon returns at centre for the injured Gareth Kerr, while flankers Ricky Bagier and Gavin Stainsby also return.

Ian Robinson is fit after failing to complete his comeback game at Nuneaton last week and will be partnered in the second row by Anthony Peck, with Naude Pretorius on the bench.

Danny Brown is not available as he is required by the Newcastle Development XV.

After two successive postponements, Middlesbrough return to North One action at home to Huddersfield with the same team as selected last week.

That means Dave Richardson is on the bench, with Neil Baggett continuing at fly half and Simon Moore at full back.

After slipping from the top of North Two East last week, Durham City should win at home to bottom club Sandal.

Ben Stevenson returns at scrum half and skipper Jeff Roberts at open side. Nick Howe stays at fly half as Dan Kyle could be out for some time with a knee injury suffered playing for the Durham Under-18s last week.

* While Newcastle Falcons assembled at the airport at 6am yesterday, the family of prop Tino Paoletti will be leaving Florence early this morning for the 500-kilometre drive north to watch him play against L'Aquila.

The European Challenge Trophy tie is expected to go ahead despite freezing temperatures in the skiing area.

Paoletti, who joined Falcons from Plymouth Albion in the summer, played in the Italian League for Parma and Piacenza and knows what to expect.

"The club is the centre of the community and they are famous for having a very passionate crowd," he said.

"They don't have big-name players but they have a good team culture and drive each other on.

"If we can match their commitment and passion we are confident our skills and ability to score tries will win us the game."

* The Falcons have brought forward their home match against Saracens by a day to Saturday, January 28, to give any players required for Six Nations Championship duty the following week seven days to recover, as required.

Half of the 10,200 tickets for the New Year's Day match against Worcester at Kingston Park have gone and those wishing to book are urged to ring 0871 226 6060.