DARLINGTON Mowden Park’s latest signings, South African hooker Devlin Hope and ex-Moseley fly half Elliot Bale, are in the squad for today’s match at Cambridge.

Hope played for Coventry last season and has been with London Scottish for the first half of this campaign, but was wanted by Mowden following the loss of Santiago Socino.

Hope’s grandfather, Eddie Lewis, was one of the original Busby Babes. He made 24 appearances for Manchester United in the 1950s before going on to play for West Ham, Preston and Leyton Orient. He emigrated to South Africa in 1970.

Cambridge have suffered one more defeat than Mowden but are one point ahead of them in National One courtesy of their four-try bonus points. They like to run the ball, but failed to break down Mowden’s defence when well beaten at The Northern Echo Arena.

Jack Payne, the former Australia Under 20s player who also qualifies for Wales, returns to the second row in place of Talite Vaioleti.

Also back after injury is flanker Rory Duff, who is on the bench with Hope, Bale and Joel Gill, who makes way for barnstorming centre James Fitzpatrick. Chris Auld switches to the wing and Jamie Barnard to the wing.

Mowden left late yesterday afternoon, while Moseley were due to leave Birmingham for Blaydon at 7am today after ditching overnight stays to save money.

They include former Wales Under 20s No 8 Sam Pailor after enlisting help from their supporters’ association to pay his wages.

Blaydon reported their pitch was frost-free yesterday and they are not expecting any problems, although Weardale farmer Chris Wearmouth might have to escape snowdrifts to resume his place in the second row.

After illness last week he was on the bench, but swaps places with Andrew Archibald. Wearmouth partners Andrew Davidson, one of only two Newcastle Falcons players available, the other being prop Andrew Foster.

Fly half Andrew Baggett, No 8 Jason Smithson and winger Kris Bratten all return, while Ryan Foreman is on the bench after recovering from a hand injury.

Wharfedale, expecting a heavy frost, appealed for help in covering their pitch last night ahead of the visit of Tynedale in Two North.

Under the captaincy of No 8 Josh Burridge, a Middlesbrough product, Wharfedale have struggled to stay outside the relegation places and need to avenge a heavy defeat at Crobridge. They have ex-Mowden player George Hedgley at blind side and ex-West Hartlepool pair Adam Howard and Scott Jordan on the bench.

Billingham are unchanged for the Three North trip to Wirral, with Nathan Myers keeping Danny Dixon out of the No 8 spot.

Myers’ brothers, Aaron and Eldon, are unavailable for West Hartlepool’s North-One East match at Bradford and Bingley.

The Bees have signed two South African backs and are much improved since their 61-10 thrashing at West, who welcome back Gavin Painter, John Bunter and Will Hilditch.

Rob Thorn is unavailable and centre Liam Checksfield has broken a hand playing for the Newcastle Falcons Academy.

Howard Johnson and Tom Baty come into the second row for Durham City’s trip to south Yorkshire to face Dinnington.

Barnard Castle’s promotion credentials in Durham and Northumberland One will be tested at Consett, who have appointed Andy Howells as their head coach until the end of the season.

Formerly with Blaydon, Mowden and Westoe, he will be pitting his wits against former Mowden skipper Junior Fagalilo.

Leaders Westoe visit Gosforth, while Middlesbrough entertain bottom club Ryton and Stockton travel to Newcastle to take on Medicals.

They are without lock Phil Austen, who tweaked a hamstring in the 22-18 victory over Consett, so Phil Douglas moves into the second row, allowing Sean Jones to start at No 8. Dan Muirhead comes in for unavailable prop Tom Nelson.