DARLINGTON Mowden Park will stand by their policy of sending on leading try scorer Simon Uzokwe deep into the second half in tomorrow's home derby against Blaydon.

He again went on at blind side for the last 15 minutes of last Saturday's 22-14 win at Esher, with coach Danny Brown saying: “He didn't get on as early as I wanted, but all credit to him that he doesn't complain.

“He could say he should be starting, but he's doing exactly what we want. He changes the game and gives the lads a lift. There's no better player around to do that job.

“If we feel there's a game where we will benefit from having him on from the start, we will do that. But at the moment we are getting results and won't be changing too much.”

Mowden's win in London was their fifth in succession, lifting them into ninth place with the prospect of climbing much higher as five of their next six games are at home.

They are very keen to avenge a heavy defeat at Blaydon in the final match of last season and will be up against three of their former forwards tomorrow in Jason Smithson, Chris Wearmouth and Robbie Kalbraier.

As in the previous week's win against Coventry, Uzokwe scored the clinching try at Esher, his ninth of the season, when Mowden were three points ahead with seven minutes left.

“His pace off the mark is exceptional and his try came from a line-out when he spotted a gap on the blind side and took two defenders over with him,” said Brown.

“He replaced Ali Bone, who had made some outstanding carries and got some early shots in, along with Luca Petillo. That gave Esher something to think about and they gave away more penalties than they would have liked.”

Garry Law kicked one of those penalties, then there was a yellow card for each side before Mowden lock Tom Jubb, not for the first time this season, intercepted on halfway and raced under the posts.

Several scrum infringements resulted in Esher being awarded a penalty try before Mowden grabbed another stray pass. Jubb again made ground before sending fly half Warren Seals over for a 17-7 interval lead.

Scrum pressure again led to Esher's second converted try with 11 minutes left, but Uzokwe had the last word.

Most matches in Durham and Northumberland One fell foul of the weather. After having their basement battle at home to Ponteland abandoned in mid-match, Darlington will try again to break their duck at Ryton tomorrow.

The referee waited until 65 minutes had elapsed at Gosforth so that their 20-3 win against Stockton will stand.

Stockton had to make several late changes and, with snow falling throughout, they suffered further injuries to lock Charlie Doherty and hooker Dean Goldsborough.

In heavy snow at Durham City, Middlesbrough lost the top-of-the-table battle 23-13 after going 23-0 down in the first half hour.

One point ahead at the outset, City stretched their lead to five, despite losing star centre Bradley Pears with a head injury. The son of former Middlesbrough and Manchester United goalkeeper Stephen Pears scored the first try and ran almost the length of the field prior to the tackle which ended his involvement.

Former Mowden centre Craig Dominic scored the second of City's three tries, but the tide started to turn in the last ten minutes of the first half and a Sam Gaudie penalty made it 23-3 at half-time.

Boro looked a different side in the second half, Iain Bradford finishing off a driving maul before a scrum taken against the head saw the ball moved out for Mike Thornburn to score.

At 23-13, Boro had 15 minutes to narrow the gap further, but City finished the stronger to deny their visitors a losing bonus point.

Northallerton remain fourth in Yorkshire Three following a 29-14 defeat away to Bramley Phoenix. They are at home to Harrogate Pythons tomorrow.