Darlington at full strength for home tie
DARLINGTON are putting
match practice ahead of the risk
of injury by fielding their
strongest available side for
today's Durham Cup tie at home
to Blaydon.
Holders Mowden Park are taking
the opposite course by fielding
a second XV at home to Westoe,
although several players have
senior experience.
Blaydon have opted for a blend
of experience and youth, with
three of their under-19s, plus
highly-rated Durham under-20s
lock Andrew Archibald, in a side
which also includes such seasoned
forwards as lock Dave
Whitehead and prop Paul Winter.
Darlington have taken the
view that the game will provide
valuable preparation for next
week's North One relegation battle
at Penrith.
Alex Lineton and David Glendenning
are unavailable, so skipper
Lee Richardson moves to centre
with the speedy Adam
Kibirige returning on the wing
after a lengthy absence.
The only other change from
the side which beat Cleckheaton
sees Chris Oakley come in to
partner Dave Hinchley at lock.
The youngsters in Blaydon's
line-up are Newcastle RGS's star
centre Fred Burdon, full back
Chris Coates and No 8 David
Sheldon, who will have Matt Hall
and Chilean international Patricio
Desmond alongside him.
Duncan Pollock is at scrum
half, while winger Simon Barber
makes his first senior appearance
of the season following a
knee operation. Among the replacements
is under-19s centre
Gary Hall, grandson of Sir John.
Mowden's team includes Del
Russell, a regular in their back
row in the 90s prior to the arrival
of such high-quality signings as
the late Dave Mitchell, Tony
Irwin and Darren McKinnon.
Alongside Russell at No 8 will
be Jon Dye, making his first senior
appearance for three years
following a major hip operation.
Chris Stewart, who has spent
most of the season on the bench,
is handed a rare start in the second
row, while Andrew Tonkin
continues his conversion into a
hooker to allow Chris Dodd to
play at open side.
Lawrence Oliver will hope to
stake a claim for a first-team recall
following injury as both last
week's wingers, Gareth Kerr and
Chris Clarke, are out for the season.
Kerr's long history of misfortune
with injuries continued
when he pulled a quad muscle in
the act of completing a hat-trick
in the last move of the game
against West Park St Helens.
Mowden need to win two of
their three remaining league
games in National Three North
to make sure of being involved in
the promotion play-off on April
26. Utility back Charlie Rayner
should be fit to return at Macclesfield
next week, but Tom
Wilkinson is still troubled by an
ankle injury.
Mowden will be keeping an eye
open today for Martin Lithgo, the
young scrum half they loaned to
Westoe at the start of the season.
When they tried to recall him
he said he would rather see out
the season with the South
Shields club, although he could
return to Mowden over the summer.
9:02am Saturday 22nd March 2008
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