DARLINGTON Mowden Park hope to have several players back from injury for tomorrow's match away to Loughborough Students.

In what was considered one of their poorest performances in National One, the depleted team lost 39-3 last Saturday at Plymouth Albion, where they won last season.

They had to introduce two new forwards in Neath-born Jack Jones, who was selected at blindside, and Italian Lorenzo Cemecetti, who joined Talite Vaioleti in the second row.

They also had Teesside teenager Adam Radwan making his debut from the bench. The Billingham winger has joined Newcastle Falcons' senior academy and has been loaned out to Mowden.

Last season's skipper, Gareth Nesbit, was unavailable after coming out of retirement the previous week, so Mowden had Darren Fearn at loose head and Chris Woods as their only front row cover on the bench.

It is hoped first-choice props Ignas Darkintis and James Penman will be fit to return tomorrow in what should be a high-speed game between two attack-minded sides.

Against a big pack, Mowden couldn't win enough possession to mount many attacks at Plymouth.

The scrum was poorly refereed, contributing to a penalty-strewn first half in which influential home fly half Kieran Hallett opened an early 6-0 lead.

He also converted the only first-half try, which stemmed from a series of pick-and-drives, before Caolan Ryan replied just before half-time to make it 13-3.

Mowden lost winger Will Murray and centre Chris Auld to injury, bringing on Radwan and James Fitzpatrick, and were still in the game at the interval.

But when a powerful home centre was allowed through to score, it sparked a four-try spree in 13 minutes. A catch-and-drive try was followed by a 70-metre interception by the Plymouth hooker.

Finally, Mowden again gave the ball away in midfield and were punished by the fifth try.

There were no league games below national level, allowing Northallerton's walking wounded time to recover for tomorrow's visit of Castleford.

The seconds entertained Redcar thirds in the North Yorkshire Trophy and lost 33-7, despite competing well in the first half, especially in the scrums.

A well-taken try by Martin Connor, who was returning from nearly two years out with injury, was converted by Trevor Jordan Mould to keep North in contention at 7-12.

In the second half, Redcar upped their game and the constant pressure, combined with growing fatigue, told in the last 15 minutes as Redcar ran in three unanswered tries. North's man of the match was Ian Cockings.

Northallerton's junior section continues to prosper under the guidance of Sam Goldsborough and other volunteers.

Six teams were involved in four competitions last weekend. The under-sevens and eights both had two teams involved at Wensleydale and Thirsk, the under-nines were in action at York and the under-10s at Harrogate.

They all defied very wet conditions to display fine rugby skills and good sportsmanship.

The juniors are back at Brompton Lodge this weekend and new players are always welcome.