DARLINGTON Mowden Park are banking on youthful athleticism to overcome experience when they entertain Ampthill today.

While Mowden include 21-year-old Sebastian Ferreira, one of his second row opponents is expected to be Paino Hehea, 16 years his senior.

Paino, who had a spell with Mowden in National Three North days, is one of four Tongan forwards in the Ampthill squad, boasting 99 international caps between them.

Mowden also hand a first start at blind side to leading try scorer Simon Uzokwe and there are no plans to switch him to hooker, where he started the season.

The cover for Santiago Socino is provided by fellow Argentinian Gaston Demergasso, who joined the club three months ago and is in the senior squad for the first time.

Ferreira is dual-registered with Newcastle Falcons after being brought over from South Africa, where he was in the Western Cape Academy.

Equally at home in the back row, he gets his chance at lock in the absence of Tom Jubb, while Uzokwe replaces Ali Bone.

The only change from the pack which would have done duty in last week's postponed game against Blackheath sees skipper Gareth Nesbit named in place of Ralph Appleby.

There are two changes in the backs, with ex-Tynedale man Ben Frankland returning at outside centre and Matt Walsh taking over from Bruno Bravo at scrum half.

Appleby, who drops to the bench, is the only survivor from the team which grabbed a pulsating, last-minute victory in the promotion play-off against Ampthill two years ago.

Callum Mackenzie, who featured in that match, has been replaced on the bench by Joe Craggs, again stressing the youth policy.

While Tongans do not usually like cold, damp conditions, Mowden expect just as tough a battle as in the play-off against the Bedfordshire club.

In their first season in National One, Ampthill led the table in early season before suffering a blip. But last week's 38-16 win at Henley suggested they are back to top form and keen to stay on the heels of the top four.

Blaydon visit third-placed Hartpury College without unavailable skipper Keith Laughlin. But they are able to call on Will Witty, who was on Falcons duty in Russia last week but is not required for today's home match against Brive.

The European Challenge Cup match will be followed at Kingston Park by Tynedale's National Two North game against Sale FC, kicking off at 6.30.

It is expected that matches will be able to resume at Corbridge in two weeks following the clean-up after the floods.

Tynedale have veteran flanker Jamie Murray available following a one-week suspension, but prop Alex Westgarth is absent.

Billingham make one change from last week's postponed match for the Three North visit of Ilkley. Chris Hopkinson replaces Adam Radwan on the wing.

West Hartlepool stage the top match in North One East with Morley the visitors in a third v second clash.

The West Yorkshire club have lost only once and are seven points ahead of West with two games in hand. But they haven't played for five weeks, while West enjoyed a 22-3 win against Northern last Saturday.

Dynamic flanker Aaron Myers is again available, so skipper Dan Boatman continues in the second row and Adam Coates replaces unavailable prop Michael Hogan.

Durham and Northumberland One leaders Durham City visit Acklam, hoping to improve on their 23-9 home win in October when several players were on a stag weekend.

Middlesbrough, who will expect maximum points at home to Ryton, have Iain Bradford back at lock and name Ash Kearny at blind side.

After last week's impressive 13-7 victory over Consett, Stockton seek a repeat of their 19-13 home win against Horden when they visit the fifth-placed club.

Scrum half Brian Thwaites is unavailable, but versatile Jonny Horner returns to the squad.

Darlington will hope for their first win at home to Gateshead.