Batty gets all-clear for Morley clash

9:20am Saturday 19th April 2008

DARLINGTON Mowden Park have persuaded acting Newcastle Falcons boss, Steve Bates, to allow them to hang on to hooker Ross Batty for one of the most important games in the club's history today.

Ahead of Friday's European Challenge Cup semifinal at Worcester, Bates is not prepared to risk any player who is not 100 per cent fit at Sale tomorrow and wanted all hands on deck.

He has recalled all Falcons players from Mowden, Tynedale and Blaydon except for Batty, allowing him play at Morley as Mowden's other hooker, Sean Buckley, is still not fit.

That still leaves the Darlington club with the slight concern that Tynedale will be severely weakened at home to Fylde, the one club who can pip Mowden for the promotion play-off place in National Three North.

Tynedale regulars Rob Miller and Rob Vickers are in the Falcons' starting line-up, while Micky Young, Tim Swinson and Jonny Williams are on the bench.

Morley have to win to give themselves a chance of escaping relegation, and the continuing wet weather is unlikely to help Mowden, who will delay selection until they have assessed the conditions.

England Students No 8 Peter Browne is available after being ruled out by gastric flu last week, while wingers Gareth Kerr and Chris Clarke have both recovered from the injuries they suffered last month.

Browne is reported to have been offered a contract by Newcastle for next season, but as he isn't currently registered with them there was no argument about where he should be today.

Although he would strengthen the line-out, it would be a tough call for Mowden to drop any of last week's back row trio, Aaron Myers, Scott Riddell and Tony Begovich.

Ironically, Browne's former club is Cinderford, where Mowden will contest the playoff next week if they survive in second place today. But all talk of that has been banned as they concentrate on winning what the players will be told is the most important game they have ever played.

There may be a more important one next week, but they will deal with that when the time comes.

Blaydon have lost their two Newcastle men, centre Adam Dehaty and flanker Eni Gesinde, ahead of their National Two home match against Southend, while former Falcon James Isaacson is unlikely to play.

The prop had six stitches in his kneecap after last week's game at Wharfedale, so Paul Winter is expected to start with Patricio Desmond coming in at blind side.

Dehaty's place goes to his brother, Matt, while English Universities player Ben Mercer switches from the wing to replace Richard Windle at fly half.

The only change in the Darlington squad at home to Birkenhead Park sees lock Dave Hinchley on the bench in place of Chris Oakley.

After winning only two of their first 11 games in North One, during which they used 56 players, Darlington are seeking a sixth victory from the last 11 to ensure safety.

Their visitors were fourth in the table until a string of defeats coincided with their run to the EDF Intermediate Cup final, in which they lost to Chester at Twickenham last Saturday.

Darlington could lose and still survive if Penrith fail to win at Middlesbrough, who have selected former Redcar player Richie Barker at No 8 after being out for most of the season.

Matt Wright drops to the bench and the one other change sees Richard Horton return at hooker.

There is much at stake in the Hartlepool derby, more so for visitors Rovers than for West, for whom only the most unlikely thrashing would prevent them finishing top of North Two East.

Rovers need to win to avoid relegation as either Old Crossleyans or Carlisle could overhaul them and both have home games they will expect to win.