DARLINGTON Mowden Park embark today on a five-game revenge mission which could carry them into the higher echelons of National One.

They visit Henley, who lie next to the bottom, followed by four successive home games against the teams who beat them in their early season run of away matches.

The vast improvement since the 30-28 home defeat by Henley in the second game culminated in the 51-11 hammering of Blaydon two weeks ago.

It was Mowden's sixth successive win, lifting them to eighth place at the halfway stage, and they are currently the form team in the division.

They are only four points behind fifth-placed Rosslyn Park, who kick off the run of games at the Northern Echo Arena next week. Two weeks later come Ampthill, who Mowden can leapfrog today if the Bedfordshire club lose at Blaydon.

Henley started well following last season's promotion, winning three and drawing one of their first six matches. They then lost seven on the trot before winning at home to fellow strugglers Cinderford in their last outing.

“We were very disjointed in the home match against Henley,” admitted coach Danny Brown. “We had a new squad and started very slowly, but hopefully it will be a different story this time.

“It's not ideal travelling 250 miles on New Year's Day but with four home games on the bounce we have the chance to be well placed at the end of January.

“We can't have any regrets about accepting our early season schedule. It was fantastic for the club and the town to have the All Blacks here. We made that choice and nobody was criticising us when they were here.

“Everyone loved it and the legacy is that involvement and interest has increased throughout the whole club. And other local clubs have also benefited.”

Lock Tom Jubb, who has been in outstanding form, has damaged a back muscle in training, so dual-registered Newcastle Falcons man Seb Ferreira comes into an otherwise unchanged side.

Ralph Appleby has recovered and comes on to the bench, while

the other injured prop, Ignas Darkintis, should be fit in the next two weeks.

Of the other injured players, winger Tom Kill is to have an operation next week and is out for the season, while Grant Connon is to see a specialist about when he can resume training.

Blaydon have suspended hooker Victor Guignouard for one game for his part in two punch-ups in the match at Mowden.

David Nelson, who briefly replaced him in that match, has a shoulder injury, so Jack Beckworth had the No 2 shirt today. He also featured in the away match against Ampthill.

Lock Sean English will be playing his last game for Blaydon before moving south, which is expected to create more opportunities for local lad Andrew Archibald.

Tom Bramwell returns at centre with James Cooney reverting to the wing.