Darlington Mowden Park have suffered another blow in their build-up for Saturday's Senior Knockout Cup fourth round tie at home to Manchester.

Tight head prop Dave Sinclair has been handed a one-match ban after receiving three yellow cards this season.

All have been for technical offences, with the last one coming at Liverpool St Helens 11 days ago for collapsing a maul.

Mowden could delay the ban beyond Saturday by appealing against one of the yellow cards, but it would cost them £100 if they lost and the league is their priority.

Their other two regular props, Ian Keeligan and Danny Brown, are both specialist loose heads, so the club were checking last night on Durham University's John Hodgson.

He is registered with Mowden and played several games last season, but has been out of action with a knee injury for the last two weeks.

Hooker Tasi Tuhana and flanker Tony Irwin are both expected to return after injury, but Ian James remains very doubtful with his shoulder problem.

It is also highly unlikely that centre Mark Bedworth will have recovered from his knee injury as he is seeing a specialist this week.

*The Durham Schools 18 group team stuck to their task well at Austin Friars School, Carlisle, winning 9-8 on a heavy pitch.

All Durham's points came from the boot of David Kell (Durham School) as they built a 9-3 half-time lead.

The 16 Group beat Cumbria 34-29 in perfect conditions at Gateshead. Tries were scored by Chris Young (Brierton, Hartlepool), skipper Matt Tait (Barnard Castle), who got two, and winger Paul Wood (Durham School).

On the adjoining pitch Cumbria Clubs 16 Group beat Durham 40-14. Try scorers for Durham where Haydn Richards (Westoe) and David Easton (Darlington) with Richards converting both.