Darlington Mowden Park go into today’s home game against Chester knowing that victory would lift them into the National Three North promotion frame.

They trail second-placed Chester by ten points with a game in hand, so a fourth home defeat would leave Mowden well off the pace.

Their only away defeat was by 22-8 at Chester on October 2 but coach Pete Taylor, who has retained himself in the starting line-up, is confident they can avenge that setback, whatever the weather.

“I hope it is wet and windy,”

he said. “People presume we are a team who just throw the ball about, but we proved last week on a bog at Beverley that we are not.

“It’s a massive game and we are really focused on it. If we win we will be right in the mix, but it’s not a defining game because there will still be 13 matches left.”

The only change sees ex- Tynedale player Chris Peace, who has been injured for most of the season, come in for his first start at centre with Ian Hodgson away on an army selection course.

At the other end of the table, Billingham will be looking to climb clear of the bottom two by winning away to unpredictable Penrith.

After beating Rochdale 37-0 last week the possibility of escaping relegation was further improved by the fact that the next six teams above Billingham all lost.

They include Middlesbrough, who visit Billingham next week and will be desperate to avoid being dragged into the relegation scrap by losing at home to Birkenhead Park today.

Waterloo now lead Billingham only on points difference and Boro are fourth from bottom, six points ahead.

“We have some big games coming up and we need to use last week’s performance to build confidence and momentum,”

said Billingham chairman Mark Armstrong. “We need to believe we can do this week in and week out.

“After seven weeks without a game it was wonderful last week to hear all the chatter and the views. It was good to know that we can win so well and people think there is still room for improvement.

“We have to remind ourselves that we are a young team and there is still a lot to come. I’m calling on our members to turn out in force against Middlesbrough next week. We need to show them that not only are we capable of competing at this level on the field but our support is proud, loud and strong.”

Boro have Paul Norris back and have selected him on the wing, meaning last week’s replacement, Martin Featherston, retains his place at centre.

Rory Duff returns to the back row in place of Martin Dixon for a game in which Boro are keen to avenge their early season defeat at Birkenhead.

They were leading until a free-for-all erupted and they came off worst with two men being sent off.

Blaydon’s plethora of tall, athletic forwards has forced them into the difficult decision to leave Sean English out of the squad for the National One game at Sedgley Park.

He made an impact when going on for the last half hour against Stourbridge last week, but he’s the one to stand down as Gavin Jones returns.

Blaydon, now fifth, have never lost to Sedgley Park and will be anxious to maintain that record as they believe they can achieve their highest finish of fourth place.

Tynedale are at home to bottom club Launceston, who would be only one point behind them had they not suffered a 20-point deduction for going into administration.

Since topping the table when they were unbeaten after five games, Tynedale have lost seven out of nine but home advantage should be crucial. The teams drew 24-24 in Cornwall in September.

North One East leaders West Hartlepool entertain Morpeth with Ben Lloyd at lock for the injured Tom Dixon. Adam Howard is still injured so Stephen Stockdale remains at No 8.

Colin Cheslin is fit to return in the centre, and Adam Larkin has recovered from the knock which forced him off last week.

Morpeth haven’t had a competitive game since November 20, nor have Durham City, who face a tough game at Cleckheaton.

Hartlepool Rovers visit Wheatley Hills with coach Alan Brown switching from lock to flanker as Chris Atkins is unavailable. Darren Smith comes into the second row and Harry Readhead is selected at centre.

In Durham and Northumberland One, Darlington visit Ashington, the first of the three teams against whom they scored 100 points in October home games.

With skipper Andy Hodgkins unavailable, Darlington expect a much tougher battle this time and will also hope that leaders Gateshead are given a rough ride at Horden.