GARETH Nesbit has come out of retirement to lead Darlington Mowden Park in today's home match against Old Albanians.

After two seasons of proving he could operate at National One level, last year's captain hung up his boots at the end of the campaign.

But with the season a month old he has been pressed into service at loose head, with Darren Fearn and Chris Wood providing cover on the bench in case Mowden's high-speed game exhausts his stamina.

Mowden have been stretched by Dave Penman suffering concussion and Ignas Darkintis breaking a hand.

For the second time this season they have pushed Joe Craggs up into the second row, with Seb Freydell dropping to the bench and Callum Mackenzie coming in at open side.

Josh Bragman is handed his first start at full back with Jamie Barnard switching to the wing for the injured Will Murray. James Fitzpatrick is again on the bench.

Just before they were relegated two years ago, Old Albanians won 51-19 at the Northern Echo Arena and their 35-3 win at Blaydon this season showed they travel happily to the North-East. They are one place below Mowden in seventh.

Blaydon are able to call on dual-registered Newcastle Falcons duo, prop Andrew Foster and fly half Brett Connon, for the trip to Blackheath.

With Max at full back, the Connon brothers will appear together for the first time, but with Tom Bramwell joining the casualty list the lack of centres again sees Fraser Wilson pressed into service there.

Jack Davidson comes in at open side with Andrew Archibald switching to lock. Matt Thompson is again on the bench.

Tynedale entertain Chester in Two North and will be without hooker Louis Frankland, who broke a thumb last week. Jamie Blamire made a try-scoring impact as his replacement.

Former Stockton prop Ben d'Cunha is promoted from the bench for Billingham's National Three match at Lymm. The pacy backs are unchanged, which means Adam Radwan again has to settle for the bench.

North One East leaders West Hartlepool visit Percy Park, expecting a tough battle against a side who have won their two home games.

Aaron Myers makes his first appearance of the season for West, filling a back row vacancy created by Dan Boatman switching to lock for unavailable Jay Corbett.

Michael Hogan and Ross Wood replace injured props Adam Coates and Tim Blades.

There will be some sad reflections at the Middlesbrough v Stockton derby as both clubs lament the passing of players from more prosperous times.

Boro have decided to make their recent Tom Jones memorial lunch an annual event in honour of their record appearance holder, who died at the age of 64.

The popular lock played 437 first team games and was a Yorkshire regular from 1975-80. Money raised at the lunch will go to the chemotherapy day unit at James Cook Hospital.

Stockton also lost a club stalwart this week in former headmaster Matthew England, whose funeral is at Teesside Crematorium next Friday.

The current generation find themselves at the foot of Durham and Northumberland One after a string of narrow defeats.

Props Tom Nelson and Matt Austen add ballast to the front row, so Dan Muirhead and Stu Barrass give way.

Chris Farrell comes in at centre and Todd Highfield makes his first appearance of the season in the second row, Jonny Cheetham moving to the bench.

Boro continue to produce good players, only to see them move on. Among those missing from last season's team are Danny Poole, who is emigating to Australia, Andy Micklewright, who is playing for Ripon, and Sam Gaudie, who joined Wharfedale but has been out with concussion.