DARLINGTON Mowden Park will blood another highly-rated young prop when they attempt to put a disappointing week behind them by winning at home to Hartpury College today.

Simon Uzokwe, a 19-year-old student, will be on the bench after scoring four tries for the second team against Horden. But when he goes on he won’t necessarily find himself up against someone of a similar age.

Hartpury, who joined the league structure only ten years ago, have strong links with Gloucester and include several players who are dual-registered with the Premiership club.

Since their latest promotion last season they have won three of their six games, including a victory against Esher, where Mowden lost 32-19 last Saturday shortly after having five points deducted for fielding a player they didn’t realise had been de-registered.

It has left them just above the relegation places and they will want at least two wins from their next three games. They are at home again next week, against high-flying Fylde, then face an intriguing game at Tynedale.

Gareth Nesbit is unavailable today, so Ralph Appleby starts at loose head, giving Uzokwe his chance on the bench. The son of an Ipswich doctor, he spent time in the Northampton Academy and was spotted by the Mowden coaches playing for Eastern Counties against Durham last May.

The other young prop, Paul Hill, who impressed against Macclesfield two weeks ago, is again required by Yorkshire Carnegie for British and Irish Cup duty.

Skipper Cameron Mitchell returns, with his replacement at Esher, Jamie Bernard, moving out to the wing with Callum Mackenzie switching to the back row.

Blaydon also face student opposition, travelling to face a Loughborough side who beat them twice last season.

Newcastle Falcons have claimed the services of fly half Craig Willis, centre Tom Penny and lock Will Witty for European duty, while Andrew Baggett is out with a knee injury and hooker Matt Hall stands down because of his ankle problem.

Newcastle University’s Rhodri Adamson, normally a scrum half, takes over the fly half and goal-kicking duties, with Durham School teacher Toby Bain teaming up with Tom Bramwell at centre.

Sean Brown is on the wing but will shortly have a hand operation which will rule him out for several weeks. Chris Wearmouth, Harry Bate and Victor Guignouard return to the pack with Gavin Jones on the bench.

Tynedale are without injured skipper Andy Buist for the visit of Esher, while fellow lock Graeme Dunn is unavailable. Hooker David Nelson and flanker Daniel Temm are with the Falcons.

Westoe have drafted in 39-year-old former Newcastle lock Andy Perry in the hope of dragging themselves off the foot of National Three North.

He will team up with John Younghusband in the second row for the visit of fellow strugglers Beverley, while Chris Judson replaces Matt Mellish to partner Jordan Carey at half back.

After last week’s 23-5 home win against Westoe, unchanged Billingham will face a much tougher task away to second-placed Waterloo.

Horden will hope the short trip to West Hartlepool will help them to raise enough fire to register their first points in North One East.

With Dan Boatman suspended following his two yellow cards last week, West will be skippered by Owen Bennett against his former club. Chris Atkins returns to the back row and centre Peter Youll returns to replace Stu Waites, who will be out for a few weeks with a dislocated shoulder.

Horden include three former West players in Luke Watson, Craig Gilmour and David Heckles.

Stockton, at home to Hartlepool Rovers, are still depleted after suffering five cry-offs prior to their Durham and Northumberland One thrashing at Guisborough. Joe Green comes in for Wayne Brown and Rob Graham replaces unavailable centre Steve Thornton.

Darlington visit Gosforth, while Middlesbrough are at home to Old Brodleians in Yorkshire One. Fly half Simon O’Farrell and hooker Ash Kearney return for Boro, who have James Wardle and Gary Rock in the back row.