ENGLAND centre Jamie Noon is determined to finish a disappointing club season on a high with Newcastle Falcons.

Their penultimate match today is at Worcester, who have slipped one point below them into second bottom place. But things are so tight that Newcastle still believe they can finish sixth as their final match next week is at home to relegated Leeds.

"We have competed with the best teams and beaten quite a few of them, " said Noon. "The weekin, week-out consistency has been our downfall.

"I would ask the supporters to stick with us. We need them. The lads are all busting a gut because we know the fans have not been rewarded as they should have been.

"We are going all out to give ourselves a chance of sixth place.

We want to use the way we played at the end of last Sunday's game and really finish the season on a positive note.

"What keeps coming up in our talks is the need to put in a full 80 minutes together. It's no use looking world-class for ten minutes here and there."

The Falcons scored three tries in 15 minutes in their forlorn fightback against London Irish last week and have added extra pace by bringing in Ollie Phillips on the wing.

He was man of the tournament every week in helping the Falcons win the sevens at Melrose, Hawick and Langholm.

"The sevens have been very enjoyable, but 15-a-side is the proper stuff and that's what I'm here for, " said the Durham University graduate.

"I now have a golden chance to give it a good go. My confidence is high and we are approaching the match with a very attacking game plan.

"This is a major step up from sevens but it's one I think I can make. We have so much pace in the team it's frightening to think what we are capable of when everything clicks.

"There were glimpses of it last Sunday, but we have to make sure we start well and don't dig ourselves into a hole."

With no place in the squad for skipper Colin Charvis, there is speculation that the Welshman could join the exodus from Kingston Park. After an outstanding first season, he has often looked off the pace and although talks are continuing the club might not be prepared to meet his demands.

Toby Flood starts at fly half today, with Jonny Wilkinson again expected to come on at half-time.

Darlington, who stage their annual junior festival this weekend, face a Durham Cup semi-final at Blaydon, where they conceded 50 points in a National Three North match.

Against weakened hosts they are looking to do much better, with player-coach Craig Lee saying: "We have had a good season in the league, but it would be nice to end with some silverware."

Darlington won the cup last season, only for the trophy to be withheld because Alan Brown played in the final and was deemed to be ineligible.

Darlington will start with Del Lewis at lock and Stuart Palmer in the back row as Michael Taylor is unavailable, while Ben Snook is on the wing as Adam Kibirige has a hamstring injury.

Blaydon are without skipper Dave Guthrie, locks Dave Whitehead and Paul Clark, flanker Paul Brady and centre Martin Shaw. James Kyle hoped to return but suffered a hamstring strain in training, and with Nick Williams again playing for Austria Director of Rugby Nick Gandy will be at scrum half.

Whitehead is suspended for a week after collecting three yellow cards, so Jimmy Houghton comes in at lock, while Paul Vinnicombe is also drafted in and Sua Segi switches from centre to No 8. His brother Pat is still injured, but Sua has missed only 20 minutes' rugby all season through two yellow cards.

Rob Windle and Dan Graney team up at centre, with Michael Campbell at full back.

The Durham County Minis Under-8 Festival takes place at Darlington Mowden Park's Yiewsley Drive ground on Bank Holiday Monday, with 13 clubs competing at under-8 and seven at under-7 age groups.

Play starts at 10.30am and all spectators are welcome.