AFTER ending a run of five defeats at home to Loughborough last week, Darlington Mowden Park visit an even stronger student outfit today in National One leaders Hartpury College.

Strong links with Gloucester have helped Hartpury to six successive wins, culminating in a 46-0 thrashing of Henley when winger Jonas Mikalcius scored four tries, taking him level with Mowden's Simon Uzokwe on seven for the season.

In their run of four away defeats, Mowden tended to trail by 20 points at the interval before fighting back and will be anxious to avoid a repeat.

They keep faith with the same squad after last week's win, but Bruno Bravo will start at scrum half after going on for the last 20 minutes against Loughborough.

He is one of several who have recovered from injury, but Grant Connon faces another lengthy lay-off as he requires surgery on knee ligaments.

After being absent for most of last season, the talented fly half missed the first two games then suffered his latest injury when he was tackled into a goalpost at Rosslyn Park.

After trying ten back row players already this season, Mowden have lost Matthew Charters, who played in the home defeat by Henley. He has returned to Tynedale.

Blaydon expect a forward battle at Hull Ionians, who are making a much better fist of it than in their previous elevation to this level two years ago.

Prop Andrew Foster comes in for Sam White and lock Sean English replaces Andrew Archibald in what looks a very competitive pack.

But the bottom club are still lacking established centres and try James Cooney there with Nathan Bailey reverting to full back. Scrum half Ruaridh Dawson is unavailable and is replaced by Nathan Horsfall.

Tynedale entertain Wirral in National Two North hoping that the return of Charters will help to lift them away from the relegation places.

Billingham recall Luke Wilson at centre, for the visit of Wirral in National Three North. He replaces young Adam Radwan, who has made a promising start in the first team.

West Hartlepool will kick off at 2pm at home to unbeaten North One East leaders Doncaster Phoenix, who are backed by Doncaster Knights and have ex-Newcastle Falcon Rob Devonshire in their back row.

Skipper Dan Boatman returns for West, but two more back row men, Aaron Myers and Liam Bailey, are unavailable, so Chris Atkins moves back and is replaced at lock by Joe Rafferty.

Stu Waites and Zac Southern are injured, so Greg Edwards and Luke Mallinson come in.

After their narrow defeat at Pocklington, Guisborough entertain south Yorkshire club Dinnington, who lie fourth.

The top two meet in Durham and Northumberland One when leaders Durham City visit Novos, while third-placed Middlesbrough entertain Gateshead.

After losing top spot in last week's narrow defeat at Gosforth, Boro are obliged to retain veteran Simon Moore at fly half. Matthew Todd was injured in early season and Sam Gaudie and Andy Micklewright have joined him on the casualty list. Ben Wood comes in on the left wing.

Darlington, still seeking their first win, face a tough assignment at Consett.

Stockton visit mid-table Medicals but hopes of improving their away form will not be helped by the absence of livewire scrum half Brian Thwaites and American winger Brian Morris.

Paul Armstrong, who has been covering at fly half for the injured Jeremy Good, takes the No 9 shirt, while full back Jonny Horner, powerful centre Craig Slaughter, flanker Liam Healey and hooker Mark Conway return.

Joe Hargreaves, an impressive late replacement last week, continues at centre.