BLAYDON will make a late decision over whether to include Andrew Baggett against his former club, Wharfedale, at Crow Trees today.

After slipping into trouble through eight defeats on the trot, Blaydon have two successive home games in which victories will go a long way towards achieving safety in National One.

Skipper Matt Hall will miss next week's visit of Redruth because he is in the England Counties squad to play Ulster Bank in Dublin on Friday, so victory today is doubly important for him.

Baggett missed last week's 23-20 defeat by leaders Barking because of a shoulder injury, in which the lack of an experienced goal-kicker proved costly.

If it is decided not to risk him from the start, Matthew Mellish will come in at scrum half with Director of Rugby Tom Rock switching to centre or full back.

Simon Barber, who played at No 15 last week, will revert to the wing in place of David Sheldon, who tore a hamstring when narrowly failing to squeeze in for a try against Barking.

Lock Andrew Archibald is also doubtful through injury, so Paul Vinnicombe stands by to play at No 8 with Gavin Jones moving forward.

Despite outplaying Wharfedale at Grassington in November, Blaydon hung on to win 15-13 only because the home kicker had an off day.

The two sides were on the same number of points until Wharfedale enjoyed a good win at home to Coventry last week.

After climbing clear of trouble through three successive wins, it's Tynedale's turn to try to end Barking's unbeaten record. But as usual on a long trip, they will have to travel without some key men.

Injuries have also blighted Tynedale's season and they have used 50 players, although England Counties backs Hamish Smales and Charlie Ingall are now fit again.

Darlington Mowden Park have not given up hope of finishing second in National Three North following Bradford and Bingley's recent stumbles.

As they aim to take maximum points from successive home games against Sandal and Middlesbrough, Mowden hand a first start to new hooker Will Kay.

Although born in the North-East, he won 13 caps for Wales Under 21s courtesy of a Welsh parent.

He replaces Chris Strong, with the only other changes on the bench, where prop Ralph Appleby returns after injury and utility back Charlie Masarella also features.

Coach Pete Taylor, also among the replacements, said: "Sandal are very strong up front and I expect the scrum to be a key battle."

Billingham's revival faces a stern test away to Birkenhead Park, who are level with Mowden in fourth place.

Director of Rugby Stewart Evans said: "They are a big side and won at our place by starving us of the ball and kicking penalties. We have to learn from that and use the ball well. And we are setting off early."

The early start is because Billingham were delayed on their last trip across the M62, arriving ten minutes after the scheduled kick-off at Waterloo, where their fightback after a bad start proved in vain.

West Hartlepool begin their run-in towards promotion in North One East with the first of three successive homes against Team Northumbria.

Stephen Stockdale returns at No 8 and skipper Jonny Boatman is available after his toe operation was postponed. But Anth Carr is unavailable through work, so prop Jon Norris starts his first game since returning to the club.

Tom Dixon is away so Carl Miller steps up into the second row and Andrew Davies retains his place, despite last week's sending-off.

Darlington visit Gosforth with skipper Andrew Hodgkins back at No 8, allowing Richard Snowball to move back to blind side with Steve Taylor completing the back row.

Marcus Connew starts at scrum half with Mark Baldwin being rested, while Hugo Stanford-Tuck comes in on the wing.