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DARLINGTON Mowden Park have parted company with their Director of Rugby for the last two years, Andy Howells.

After spending the previous two years as coaching co-ordinator, Howells says he decided after Saturdayfs 15-14 promotion playoff defeat at Cinderford to stand down.

There are suspicions, however, that the management team who took over in mid-season had already decided on an overhaul.

Mike Keeligan, who was appointed chairman of rugby in December but stood down after a few weeks following a disagreement with Howells, has now been reinstated.

Forwards coach Shaun Cassidy has also left after one season and club secretary Kevin Robinson is to take over as head coach.

gIf we had gone up to National Two I probably would have stayed,h said Howells. gBut Ifve got twin seven-year-old sons and would like to spend more time with them, and I also want to concentrate on running my business and the Kooga Wailers sevens team.

gI wish Mowden all the best and would like to thank the coaching team I have had over the last two years, plus the supporters.h Mowden flanker Aaron Myersf involvement with the Kooga Wailers, who are taking part in a sevens tournament in Kinsale, Ireland, this weekend, has seen him drop out of the Durham team to meet North Midlands at Stourbridge tomorrow.

Following promotion to the County Championship Shield, Durham have had to make further alterations to the team for the opening match because of injury after Wednesday nightfs Durham Intermediate Cup final.

Scrum-half Gareth Foreman (Hartlepool Rovers) damaged his foot in the 14-3 defeat by Billingham and his place goes to the experienced West Hartlepool No 9 David Tighe.

Mowdenfs Iain Dixon has been replaced on the wing by Matthew Horrocks, Keiron McKeown takes over from Darlingtonfs Joe Oselton at prop and Alex Waddingham makes his debut in place of Myers.

Northumberland will have seven Tynedale players in their starting line-up and three on the bench for their game against Cumbria at Kendal.

England Counties XV trio of Jack and Hamish Smailes and Paul Mooney will have their eyes on the imminent tour to America and Canada.

Former Darlington skipper Richard Snowball misses Yorkshirefs match against Cheshire at Macclesfield with a back problem.

Durham: Simon Moore (Middlesbrough); Paul Shepherd (Billingham), David Astle (Durham University), David Tate (Gateshead), Matthew Horrocks (Durham University & Tynedale); Matthew Gupta (Durham University & London Irish), David Tighe (West Hartlepool); Gareth Nesbit (Westoe, captain), Dan Oselton (Moseley), Keiron McKeown (Gateshead), Paul Bird (Westoe), Richard Boyle (Durham University & Harrogate), Lewis Calder (Durham University), Alex Waddingham (Durham University), Michael Taylor (Hartlepool Rovers).

Replacements: Andrew Dixon (West Hartlepool), Joe Thomas (Durham University), Ollie Reeve (Durham University), Lee Richardson (Darlington), Craig Shepherd (Billingham).

Northumberland: Jack Smailes (Tynedale); Hamish Smailes (Launceston), Paul Mooney (Otley), Fraser Shaw (Northern), Ben Duncan; Gavin Beasley, Ross Samson; Johnny Williams (all Tynedale), James Thornton (Morpeth), Rupert Harding (Tynedale), Dave Guthrie (Blaydon capt), Graeme Smith (London Scottish), Andrew Murray (Tynedale), Grant Rastall (Tynedale), Jason Smithson (Blaydon).

9:51am Friday 2nd May 2008

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