YORK will be hoping to continue this weekend where they left off in their last Yorkshire Premier League match at Castleford.

But the visit to Clifton Park of league champions Cleethorpes will present a much sterner contest.

The Lincolnshire club has steadily increased its playing strength over the last two years. Last season batters Wayne Kirby, from Hull, and John Trower, from Sheffield United, joined their ranks.

This year they have recruited Jason Sargeant from Hull to form a powerful new ball attack alongside Andy Carrington, while prolific run-scorer Shane Deitz has returned from South Australia State duty to open the innings and provide back-up seam bowling.

They can be expected to offer a formidable challenge, although York have a fair record of success against the Seasiders.

The hosts will welcome back skipper Marcus Wood, Will Warne retains his place in the middle order and Duncan Snell will play in the seconds to ensure that he gets more batting under his belt while he recovers from a back injury which is preventing him from bowling.

As a result of the Bradford and Bingley Cricket Club pavilion suffering substantial fire damage, Yorkshire's Second XI day fixture against Nottinghamshire has been transferred to York CC's Clifton Park ground.

It will take place on Monday, July 5 and will precede the one-day fixture against Durham which had already been programmed at York for July 6. Both matches will start at 11am and consist of 50 overs each side.

Updated: 11:03 Friday, May 21, 2004