Darlington at full strength for home tie

9:02am Saturday 22nd March 2008

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.

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