FIVE years ago it was hailed as the biggest day in the club's history when Horden entertained Dudley Kingswinford in the fifth round of the Intermediate Cup.

Tomorrow they play host to Bradford and Bingley at the same stage and chairman John Groves says: "It's a big game not just for the club, but for the village and the community.

"There is a buzz about the club with the first team exceeding expectations, the seconds and thirds doing well in the Tees League and the under 13s and under 11s also going well."

Horden lost 22-21 to Dudley, who have since gone on to the upper reaches of National Three North while Horden appeared to be slipping backwards until they won Durham and Northumberland Division One last season.

"Our coach, Dave Turner, has Horden stamped all through him," said Groves, a former West Hartlepool and Durham County centre.

"At the start of the season he and I set the team a target of 15 points for survival in North Two East, but we already have 13 points with 11 games left. We used to play Middlesbrough's second team, but we have beaten them twice in the league this season.

"All our team are local lads apart from the scrum half Andy Raine, who comes down from Blyth, pays the £2.50 match fee and doesn't ask for any petrol money.

"We have some very promising youngsters such as loose head prop Michael Thompson and the coach's son, Andrew Turner, who missed most of the last seasons with collar bone injuries.

"His favourite position is centre, but we need him to play at fly half and he has been tremendous. He has scored 196 points this season."

One of the club's great stalwarts, former county lock Steve Black, suffered a head injury in the last round of the cup against Winnington Park and at 41 has had to hang up his boots. His place has gone to his twin brother, Peter.

Bradford and Bingley are also in North Two East after being relegated last season.

They are coached by former England manager Geoff Cooke and have won all their 11 league games this season.

They were due to entertain Stockton tomorrow, and the Teessiders are grateful to have a free day as they have six first-choice players injured.

Horden will have to rearrange their home match against Goole, while after losing at home to Horden last week Middlesbrough hope to get back to winning ways at Alnwick, who have slipped into bottom place.

Mark Thompson is at centre for Boro, with Steve Wallis on the bench, while Mark O'Halloran comes in for unavailable lock John Dixon.