DARLINGTON’S Northern Echo Arena will make history this weekend when it hosts the first professional rugby league match to be played in County Durham.

Gateshead Thunder will host Oldham Roughyeds on Saturday at the 25,000 capacity arena for their fifth round Challenge Cup tie.

It is the first time the club has reached the stage of the cup in its ten year history.

It also marks the first professional rugby league tie to be played in County Durham or Darlington.

Thunder, the only professional rugby league team in the North-East, are unable to use their usual home at the Gateshead International Stadium this weekend because of football play-offs and an athletics meet. Kick-off will be 3pm.

Players visited The Northern Echo Darlington Arena for its usual hosts, Darlington FC, when they entertained Brentford, just over a week ago.

Luke Branighan said: “Darlington Arena is a great venue.

“I have played in many stadiums in Australia, France and the UK in my career, but this is certainly up there as one of the best.

“It is great that the crowd are so close to the action and the stadium really held the atmosphere.”

Tickets cost £10 for adults and £5 for children, students and OAPs. They are available on 0871-855-1883 or on the day for an additional £1.

The ground was opened in 2003.