NEWCASTLE Falcons head coach Alan Tait has pledged to continue scouring the local leagues after offering professional contracts to three North-Easterners who have been playing their rugby outside the Guinness Premiership.

Centre James Fitzpatrick and flanker Mark Wilson have moved to Kingston Park from Blaydon, while hooker Joe Graham joins after spending last season with Tynedale.

Both Graham and Fitzpatrick have represented England Counties this season, while Wilson has captained England Students as well as making three firstteam appearances for Falcons.

“They’re all good tough players, and they deserve their chance at the professional level,” said Tait. “As well as being good additions to the Falcons squad, I think these signings should also serve as a motivation to every single local player who has aspirations of making the step up to the Guinness Premiership.

“What we’re saying is that the door is never shut if you have the talent and you want it badly enough, and in a way it’s a kick up the backside for us as a club in saying that the quality is out there in the local leagues if we’re just willing to give them the chance to prove themselves.”

While Falcons have now confirmed the capture of five players this summer, there was a notable departure from Kingston Park yesterday as forwards coach Stuart Grimes was released.

The former Scotland international, who joined the Falcons backroom staff two years ago, will not have his contract renewed.

“It was by no means an easy decision,”

said Tait. “But as a relatively inexperienced head coach, I feel I need to get some fresh input by looking outside of the club to bolster my staff. I am in the process of finalising my coaching set-up with that in mind.”

■ Last night’s Durham Cup final between Blaydon and Westoe was postponed because Westoe were unable to field a sufficiently strong front row. Club chairman Duncan Murray explained: “Because of injury and unavailability we just did not have players of the necessary calibre to confront opponents a division above our own.” The game could be played at the beginning of next season for a trophy which Westoe have held since 2008. The competition was suspended last year.