Darlington Mowden Park's Danny Brown is looking forward to locking horns tomorrow with former teammate Tasi Tuhana.

After the New Zealander's move to Blaydon last month Brown switched from prop to hooker, the position Tuhana had held in the side for almost four years.

"I have played with Tasi a lot and he did very well for us," said the 22-year-old product of Darlington's Hummersknott School.

"I don't expect anything but a hard game, but we don't have anything to fear. It's a big game and we've been looking forward to it for a while."

Although Mowden are five points ahead, Blaydon are only one place behind them in National Division Three North and both are anxious to establish themselves as the second best team in the North-East.

Brown has been attached to the top club, Newcastle Falcons, for several years and has an A team contract with them until the end of the season.

"They see me as a prop because of my build," he said, although he admits his 18st frame is not unusually big for a hooker these days.

"I have hooked for the Falcons A team a couple of times and I have no qualms about doing it. It's an important position because of having to win your scrum ball and throw in accurately at the line-out.

"The throwing-in has been the hardest part in the last few weeks because of the strong wind. It's hard enough as it is, but trying to hit a target in a gale is very hard.

"It needs a lot of work to be successful, but I've been working hard on it and I'm sure I can do better.

"I've done OK at the actual hooking, which comes from good communication with your scrum half."

Brown, who played for England A at Under 18 level and went on a North Under 21s tour to France, has played twice against Blaydon and expects a very physical game.

Since beating the Tynesiders in the 1999 Durham Cup final, Mowden have always had the upper hand but on recent form Blaydon will fancy their chances with home advantage.

Brown feels Mowden are on their way back, however, after their recent run of defeats, which ended with a one-point victory at home to West Hartlepool.

"West were up for that game and we were poor," he said. "I was very disappointed with my own performance, but we have worked hard and the confidence is there.

"Dave Mitchell has made a massive difference since he started coaching again. We have done a lot of work on fitness and teamwork, and things were a lot better at Morley last week.

"Conditions were dreadful but everyone was up for the game and we took it to them. It will be the same against Blaydon and I'm sure it will be a very close game."

Brown is again likely to have James Isaacson alongside him as the Falcons prop is available until the end of March before going off to Australia.

Blaydon are picking from full strength and Director of Rugby Andy Howells insists his only aim is to pick up the four points from six games which will make them safe from relegation.

Even with the possibility of three going down, this seems unnecessarily cautious thinking and there is no doubt that Blaydon particularly want to win this game, followed by their home Durham Cup tie against Mowden in three weeks.

Middlesbrough will have skipper Richard McRae back at No 8 for the trip to North One leaders Halifax. Jon Wrigley and Tom Lauriston also return in the backs, but hooker Richard Horton is unavailable so Andrew Catterson steps in.

Stockton keep the team which beat Bridlington last week for the trip to Alnwick in North Two East.

They still have four first-choice forwards and two backs injured, but players like Tony Smith, Jamie Brown, Steve Craven and Andy Bare have taken their chance well.

Bare retains his place on the wing, with Joe Green partnering Dave Cooke at centre