WITH most North-East rugby teams not having played for seven weeks, prospects for a return to action today look mixed.

National One duo, Blaydon and Tynedale, hope to play, although the Crow Trees pitch was rock hard yesterday, forcing Blaydon to seek an alternative venue for the visit of Stourbridge.

The match could go ahead at Tynemouth, where Percy Park’s ground is relatively frost-free, or on Gosforth’s all-weather pitch at Druid Park.

Gosforth entertain Horden but have said they are happy for Blaydon to play afterwards, kicking off at 4pm.

Stourbridge were travelling last night and were prepared to play anywhere in order to avoid adding to the fixture backlog.

Chris Wearmouth will return from injury to replace the unavailable Gavin Jones in Blaydon’s second row.

Tynedale are due at Wharfedale, where the pitch has been covered since Thursday.

Neither side was in good form before the break with Wharfedale having lost five successive matches while Tynedale had beaten only two of the bottom clubs in their previous eight games.

The visitors, however, are just about back to full strength after a spate of injuries. Influential skipper Jack Harrison has been out since September.

Billingham will be desperate to play at home to Rochdale, the only side below them in National Three North, especially with player-coach Chris Hyndman back in the side.

His return is a surprise as it was feared he would be out for most of the season after suffering an ankle ligament injury in the first match of the season.

Hyndman is reported to be less than 100 per cent, but considers himself fit enough to start, while prop Danny Dixon also returns to the squad.

Darlington Mowden Park expect a 9am verdict from Beverley ahead of their departure for the National Three North clash in East Yorkshire.

With a lot of snowmelt sitting in the ground, and rain forecast last night, Beverley’s biggest fear is waterlogging.

Mowden coach Pete Taylor has selected himself alongside New Zealander Michael Forde in the second row, saying: “We are putting out our most experienced front five.

“Nothing against Andy Wilson, who has been doing really well and will come off the bench, but we need people with experience after such a long lay-off.”

Danny Brown is back at hooker and with Ben Seru away for three weeks Matt Lister reverts to the wing with Gavin Painter at full back.

Mowden used 28 players and lost heavily in a friendly at West Hartlepool on Monday, when West were pleased that their pack had lost none of its edge ahead of today’s derby at Hartlepool Rovers.

This is a top v bottom clash in North One East and it seems highly likely that the teams will be two divisions apart next season.

West scored seven tries against Mowden, despite the absence of skipper Jonny Boatman, centre Colin Cheslin and winger Adam Larkin through flu. All are expected to be fit to face Rovers, who are seven points behind second bottom Driffield.

The Friaragemen are still struggling with injury and unavailability ruling out several first choice players, including captain Mark Power, who is out for several weeks following a back operation. Darren Smith replaces Power with Michael Thubron leading the side.

Darlington, second in Durham and Northumberland One, will be virtually at full strength if their home match against Stockton goes ahead.

Leaders Gateshead entertain Medicals.