BLAYDON have circulated all fellow members of the National Clubs’ Association seeking support in their search for more flexibility in the fixture list.

Having had all their games postponed since November 20, Blaydon face their National One season being extended well into May.

“Three or four clubs have already replied,” said secretary Jim Huxley. “They are very supportive, although they point out things like the need to consider sponsors.

“We are prepared to play on a Sunday, although as Newcastle Falcons have just found out, it doesn’t suit everybody.”

This was a reference to the Falcons’ new signing, Scotland prop Euan Murray, refusing to play at Wasps last Sunday because of his religious beliefs.

His absence contributed to Blaydon skipper Matt Hall being drafted on to the Falcons’ bench, along with two of last season’s team-mates, Mark Wilson and James Fitzpatrick.

“Because they have two hookers injured, Matt has trained with the Falcons for the last month,” said Huxley.

“We loaned him to them for the festive period and he was going to be involved in the postponed Boxing Day game against Leeds.

“Kieran Brooks was going to hook but he had to switch to prop against Wasps because Murray wasn’t available.”

Hall will be back in charge at Crow Trees tomorrow, when Blaydon expect to resume at home to Stourbridge.

Westoe, second in National Two North, will be seeking a double at home to Preston Grasshoppers, having won the away game 34-8 in September.

Prop Matty Ibbotson, who made a big impression in his ten appearances after leaving Birkenhead Park, has moved on again because of his work in the construction industry.

Danny Loughan, 19, who has played tight head at Consett, could compete for Ibbotson’s place with home-grown prop Jordan Mackay.

He is one of several ex-colts who have returned from six months playing with the Boroondara club in Melbourne.

Another 19-year-old newcomer is Scott Jordan, the North Under-18 and England Colleges back who has arrived from West Hartlepool.

Middlesbrough visit Bradford and Bingley in North One East and have selected Simon O’Farrell at full back, with coach Paul Lee continuing at fly half.

Hooker Richard Horton suffered broken ribs in the Alan Todd Memorial match at Stockton, so his cousin Ben takes over.

Peter Homan and Paul Norris team up at centre, and Lee Theakston is in at lock as Iain Bradford switches to the back row with Rory Duff unavailable.

In Durham and Northumberland One, Stockton visitsecond- placed Darlington, who will be keen to extract revenge for their only defeat of the season – a 35-7 hammering in September.

Stockton were then hit by an injury crisis but now lack only skipper Mark Skirving with his broken arm.

There are doubts, however, about centre Craig Slaughter because of flu.

He scored 25 points in the last encounter.