DARLINGTON visit Alnwick today in a top of the table encounter.

Alnwick lie second in Durham and Northumberland One, and a win for Darlington - who retain a game in hand - can see them stretch clear at the top of the division.

Darlington miss Richard Snowball, but former Colt Matthew Higgins will step into the back row in his absence, while they are at full-strength elsewhere in the team.

Secretary Tony Stowe said: "We're expecting a stern test, Alnwick always play well at home, they're a strong side.

"We've got a good mix of youth and experience, so we'll just have to wait and see.

"I'm never confident. I'm usually a glass half-full man, but with this lot, it's half empty," he joked.

"We've got as strong a team as we can put out so we're confident."

Darlington Mowden Park are unchanged for the visit of Burnage in National Three North, although Ben Seru will play his last game before returning to Army duties.

Mowden's chairman of rugby Mike Keeligan expects a stiff test from Burnage, despite their precarious position just above the relegation zone.

"They're a good side, they've recruited strongly, it will be a tough game", he said.

Tynedale's Ian Peel has been drafted in by the England squad to aid their RBS Six Nations preparations.

The former Newcastle Falcons prop, who forms part of the club's coaching set-up alongside Tom Borthwick, joined up with the national side for their training camp in Leeds this week.

Tyne are at home to Macclesfield in today's SSE National One encounter, with considerable momentum behind them after recording maximum points at third-placed Rosslyn Park last weekend.

Tynedale will be without Richard Boyle tomorrow, as the lock-forward prepares to make his Newcastle Falcons debut from the bench against Sale Sharks. Scrum-half Dominic Shaw and flanker Stu Johnson are both on holiday, while Alan Rogers and Chris Harris and Harry Mountain are among their injured contingent.

Blaydon are at home to Birmingham Solihull as they look to kick on from last weekend's shock win at second-placed Fylde, while promotion-chasing Westoe are at Stockport in National Two North.

Billingham are set to name an unchanged line-up for the trip to Cleckheaton.

The only switch for the North One East pacesetters is on the bench, where prop replacement Callum Cranston returns in place of Rob Hamer.

Billingham lead the table by six points, having beaten Sheffield last week, picking up a try-scoring bonus point in the process, while Cleckheaton are in mid-table.

Third-placed Middlesbrough are in the mix, being just two points behind Wheatley Hills. Boro seek a win when they host Old Crossleyans, who are third from bottom, at Acklam Park.

Boro are unchanged. Scrum-half Peter Wright was hoping to return after a hamstring injury, but is not quite ready.

After their disappointment at losing in the closing seconds in the cup last week, Stockton do battle with 12th-placed Ashington today.

They have had two very testing games against them this season, both away, and anticipate no less at Station Road. Stockton managed managed to win the league game 32-21 in October and were also victorious in the national intermediate cup in November by 31-3 .

Coach Craig Lee steps down so Jeremy Good moves forward from full back to the number ten shirt and a late decision will be made about the rest of the starting three quarter line as Ritchie Brown has regained match fitness.

It is hoped that the starting pack will remain the same as last week but there are doubts about prop Simon Brown who has a neck injury, so Stu Barrass stands by

Guisborough visit Sunderland, who are one place, yet 16 points better off.

Guisborough have no new injuries despite a feisty encounter with Ashington last week, which the referee abandoned because of over aggressive behaviour from the players.

The game will be replayed on March 17. The clubs face an enquiry from the rugby authorities over the game, which Guisborough were leading 19-10.

Acklam could climb to fourth place if they win at home to fourth from bottom Ryton.

Redcar, at home to Winlaton Vulcans, make several changes to the young side which was well beaten in their last game, at Barnard Castle.

Brad Stovell a utility back, comes in at centre, Jon Davey plays at prop and veteran Rob Bryce at full back, as Redcar turn to experience against a side one place above them in Durham and North Two.

Bottom club Yarm, still chasing an elusive first win, are at Wallsend, three places better off.

West Hartlepool travel to Lymm, the only side to have won a league game at Brinkburn in the last two years. West's string of away games has seen them slip to ninth in the table and the ambition is still to finish in the top four.

There are a couple of changes to the side which gave Rossendale a shock last week. Michael Taylor is available so he comes back at No 8 allowing Tom Dixon to return to the second row.

Replacement Colin Cheslin retains his place with Greg Edwards dropping down to the bench where he can provide cover right across the backs.