AFTER winning at Middlesbrough last week, Darlington Mowden Park have also beaten Boro to the signing of Charlie Simpson-Daniel.

The England Sevens player is the youngest of the three brothers from a Yarm family which used to have strong links with the Acklam Park club. Eldest brother Chris played there and appeared at scrum half for Newcastle Falcons before injury brought his career to a premature end, while Charlie has spent the last two years with middle brother James at Gloucester.

The 20-year-old utility back, who hopes to study in the North-East, said: “I want to continue playing rugby and have heard very positive things about Mowden Park.

After meeting the coach, Pete Taylor, and hearing about the club’s culture and high ambitions, I couldn’t help but get excited.

“At training on Tuesday I saw all the potential – a very young squad with pace and the ability to play wide, attacking rugby. It seems to be a club with a big future.”

Taylor added: “We’re lucky to get him – he could have had his pick of clubs around here.

To sign a guy of this quality is further proof of our intention to progress. He will be a massive asset to the squad.”

Mowden are at home to Lymm today and their only change sees Matt Goforth start on the wing in place of Sean McCartney, who has a calf injury. Simpson-Daniel will be on the bench.

After losing their first two games things are not going to get any easier for Middlesbrough, who now face the top two. They visit Chester today and entertain leaders Bradford and Bingley next week without star centre Rob Bellerby, who dislocated a knee cap against Mowden.

Another key man, No 8 Richie Barker, has a knee injury, while full back Jamie Muncer and prop forward brothers Ben and Chris Horton are unavailable.

Highly-rated young flanker Carl Kirwan makes his first appearance of the season after working offshore and Craig Chapman returns earlier than expected at tight head.

Lee Theakston, normally a lock, will be the other prop, while Iain Bradford returns at lock and Martin Featherstone and Adrian Rose come into the backs.

Billingham have also lost their opening two games in National Three North and will be desperate to get off the mark at home to Rossendale.

In National One, Tynedale host Wharfedale hoping for their third straight victory, with ex-Durham University and Harrogate lock Richard Boyle proving a very valuable addition to the squad.

Blaydon visit Stourbridge, hoping to bounce back from their 19-18 home defeat by Tynedale, in which they lost four line-outs close to the line prior to Andrew Archibald going on off the bench.

He is back in the starting line-up, while Justin Clarke comes in at prop and Paddy Dias replaces John Embleton on the wing.

Westoe make their first trip to Preston Grasshoppers in National Three North, the rearranged visit at the end of last season having been cancelled with the RFU’s blessing because there was nothing at stake.

Nigel Douglas will be hooking after a 20-month lay-off and flanker Aaron Myers makes his first appearance of the season as Jonathan Okwe- Pearson is unavailable. Charlie Rayner comes in at full back for Iain Dixon, who has a hamstring strain.

Two unbeaten North One East teams clash at Durham City, where West Hartlepool are the visitors. City, captained by lock Kevin Showler, who has returned from Tynedale, sprung a surprise by winning away to Team Northumbria last week. Full back Rob Smith, whose father and grandfather both played for the club, scored two tries as they built a 24-3 interval lead before hanging on defiantly into the wind.

West will be without Peter Hodgson and Adam Coates, who made way for Stephen Stockdale in last week’s win against Carlisle because of a shoulder injury. Hodgson, who limped off with a hamstring injury, will be replaced by Darren Thomas.

Durham and Northumberland One leaders Darlington visit Ryton with Warren Peterson on the wing as David Mackfaul is unavailable. Prop Joe Hargreaves returns after injury.

The prolific Tom Jeffery returns at full back for Stockton’s visit to third-placed Horden, so Simon Crozier reverts to the wing and Shaun McLaren drops to the bench.

Coach Craig Lee continues at fly half, while Craig Tennant replaces Todd Highfield at lock.