THE clash of National Three North's top two try scorers promises to provide an interesting little sideshow when Preston Grasshoppers visit Darlington today.

But while No 8 Alan Brown will be out to add to his tally of 19, Darlington's main target is to win and secure the four-try bonus point which will take them level with their fourth-placed visitors.

Brown's rival is Preston's 17-try full back Oliver Viney, but they have other dangerous runners and an entertaining game is in prospect if the Blackwell Meadows surface is not too greasy.

"They are a well-organised team who work for each other," said Darlington's player-coach Craig Lee. "But we were annoyed when we came away from their place with a 23-22 defeat and we will be looking to carry on the way we started last week."

Darlington were 38-0 up at half-time against Leicester Lions and went on to win 48-0, but now face matches against the two sides just above them as they visit Tynedale next week.

Joe Naga is to have a knee operation, so either Stuart Palmer or Del Lewis will come in at lock in an otherwise unchanged side.

Adam Kibirige retains his place on the wing after scoring two tries last week, with Frankie Coulson having to settle for a place on the bench after his dead leg.

Today's game kicks-off at 2.15.

Darlington Mowden Park visit a Macclesfield side who have suffered five successive defeats and slipped below them into the third relegation spot last week.

With Danny Brown unavailable, Mowden are relieved that hooker Mark Darlington has declared himself fit to return and Junior Fagalilo will provide cover on the bench even though he is not yet 100 per cent.

Ian Keeligan also returns to the front row, while Luke Monument continues at lock after replacing ankle injury victim Anthony Peck after 20 minutes last week. The only other change sees winger Chris Trew start in place of Sam Cataki.

Blaydon visit Kendal, whose 18 successive defeats have equalled the division's record held by Stoke-on-Trent.

In what is expected to be a mudbath, Blaydon are resting Martin Shaw and bringing in Rob Windle at centre, while Nick Williams returns at scrum half for Dan Kyle.

New signing Joe Clappson, a former Bracknell and Nottingham player, comes in at open side with Pat Segi dropping to the bench, and Dave Marwick replaces lock Paul Clark.

Tynedale will be going for a seventh successive win at Hull Ionians and after they toppled leaders Nuneaton last week there will be much interest in the Midlanders' home match today against new leaders Bradford and Bingley.

Middlesbrough are targeting a double against Longton, who are two places below them, next to the bottom of North One.

Boro visit the Stoke-based club in a rearranged match today then host them next month. Danny Poole replaces winger Andy Micklewright, who suffered a hamstring injury last week, while Neil Young comes in for unavailable lock Chris Palesci. Former captain Richard McRae continues his comeback on the bench.

It's a county cup day at the lower levels, with holders Durham City again featuring in the Durham Intermediate Cup. They swapped places with Horden in the league structure last season, yet Horden remain in the senior cup.

City visit Houghton, while the other ties are: Billingham v West Hartlepool TDSOB, Gateshead v Hartlepool, Ryton v Consett.

Sunderland's fixture backlog after their run in the Powergen Junior Vase forces them to play two matches today, while accusing Yarm of refusing to consider an alternative date for their already delayed Durham Challenge Trophy Cup tie.

Sunderland will field their second team against Yarm as promotion from Durham and Northumberland Two is their priority and they need to win their rearranged game at Winlaton to move back above Gosforth at the top.

In the County Under 20 Championship tomorrow the two unbeaten sides in the northern group, Yorkshire and Northumberland, clash at Doncaster while Durham play Cheshire at Caldy.