Darlington Mowden Park have told Durham officials they are not prepared to play the county cup final on June 1 if they win tonight's semi-final at Westoe.

Nor do they want to play it as a pre-season match in August, as suggested by Darlington, who are already through to the final.

"We could have a different squad by then," said backs coach Kevan Oliphant. "I'm the club's county representative and I told the county committee pre-season that we could have the same problem as last year, when we had to drop out of the cup.

"They have said they will take a look at it for next season. If we beat Westoe we want to play the final next Tuesday or Wednesday."

That could interfere with preparations for the opening County Championship match against Oxfordshire at Gateshead on Saturday week, but Oliphant expects few Mowden players to be involved.

"Most of the ones they want are carrying injuries and three are going to play in the Amsterdam Sevens on the middle of the three county Saturdays."

Mowden will be without six of the side which beat National Three North champions Halifax on Saturday for tonight's game, which kicks off at 6.45.

Although hooker Tasi Tuhana will be on the bench, he is carrying an injury which also makes him doubtful for county duty.

The same applies to fly half Martin Shaw and centre Mark Bedworth, who have been struggling through from Saturday to Saturday without training inbetween.

Kelekolio Paino and Jason Smithson also picked up knocks on Saturday, while prop James Knox is unavailable tonight.

Mowden's team: M Georgiou, E Targett, M Breen, T Lauriston, P Phelan, I Dixon, S Richardson, I Keeligan, M Martin, P Fakalelu, I Robinson, L Monument, M Holmes, T Fosita, P Evans.