DURHAM have selected seven Blaydon players for the opening County Championship match at Tynedale today (2pm), when they will find several clubmates in the opposition, writes Tim Wellock.

Those who live in Newcastle, like Blaydon skipper Matt Hall and No 8 Jason Smithson, traditionally opt to play for Northumberland, while fly half Andrew Baggett, from Middlesbrough, chooses to represent Yorkshire.

Blaydon's Director of Rugby, Tom Rock, has also played for Yorkshire in the past, but has thrown in his lot with Durham.

Three Darlington Mowden Park players are selected, including departing winger Robin Eatough, who is returning to the Midlands after scoring 31 tries in National Three North this season.

Also making their county debuts are Mowden's former Darlington duo, centre Ben Snook and back row man James Knox, while three more Mowden players, Andy Wilson, Gavin Painter and Martin Lithgo, are on the bench.

Westoe's regular first teamers were not available as they still have two matches to play in National Two North, although they sit out today's programme.

Director of Rugby Andy Howells, who insisted when he was recruited that he would leave after two years, has confirmed that he is quitting to concentrate on his sportswear business.

Durham): M Williams (Blaydon), R Thirkell (Westoe), J Clarke (Blaydon), T Dixon (West Hartlepool), P Dent (Durham City), J Knox (Darlington Mowden Park), R Bell, P Vinnicombe M Mellish (Blaydon), Joe Evans (Billingham), R Eatough, B Snook (Darlington Mowden Park), T Rock, F Wilson (Blaydon), P Evans (Billingham).

Darlington are able to field their strongest side of the season for the promotion play-off at home to Yorkshire One runners-up Sheffield today (3pm).

Once a top-ranking club featuring players such as Alan Old, the Yorkshire club have fallen from grace and been passed by Sheffield Tigers on the way up.

But Darlington know their visitors will be keen to reverse the slide and Director of Rugby Bryan Baldwin said: "We obviously expect a robust game with our opponents conceding few points, suggesting an efficient and organised defence.

"We anticipate good support for both teams, with the second XVs playing prior to the main event. We are confident in our abilities, if we apply them correctly we have the potential to win what should be an excellent encounter."

Middlesbrough will be desperately hoping Peter Homan and Carl Kirwan survived last night's outing with the England Counties Under 20 team against Scotland at West Park, Leeds, in good enough shape to play a full part at Beverley today.

Boro are already depleted with prop Craig Chapman unavailable, Richie Barker unfit and several first choice backs also injured.

They need a bonus point victory in the final match to overhaul their hosts and survive in National Three North.

Graham Currigan and Callum Campbell continue at centre, with Paul Lee at fly half and Matthew Helm comes into the front row. Dave Hinchley returns at lock, with Iain Bradford reverting to the back row.

Stockton turned the tables on newly-promoted Gateshead in the Durham Intermediate Cup final at Grayfields in Hartlepool, winning 20-16 to make amends for their two league defeats.

Gateshead's lively backs were stifled by the Stockton tackling and tries from No 8 Scott Powell and centre Tom Jeffery - his 41st of the season - helped Stockton build a 15-6 lead.

Although Gateshead scored two second half tries they came either side of a decisive score by Stockton lock Craig Tennant. Jeremy Good added a penalty and a conversion.

Darlington Mowden Park duo Georgina Roberts and Tamara Taylor helped England A reach today's European Trophy final, where they will face host nation Spain.