WINNER takes all at Percy Road tomorrow when Pocklington tackle Castleford with the Yorkshire Three championship up for grabs.

With both sides having already gained promotion, the clash, which kicks off at 3pm, promises to be a titanic tussle attracting a big crowd.

Castleford have led the league for most of the season but Pocklington have been the form team since Christmas and the sides go head-to-head level on points.

When the sides met at Castleford earlier in the campaign, Pocklington dominated for an hour but failed to finish off their opponents and Castleford hung in to snatch a 19-15 victory with the last play of the game.

Pocklington have been able to field a relatively settled side for much of the season, but they have several injuries among the forwards and have delayed naming their line-up so have named a squad of 21.

York RI wrap up their Yorkshire Three campaign with a trip to Hemsworth, who are a noted 'pick-up and drive' team, so RI can expect to do plenty of tackling.

They will be without No 8 Nathan Ashman, who has an ankle injury and prop John Cooksey, who is unavailable.

Team manager Nigel Lowrey is hoping that full-back Richard Lightwing recovers from an ankle injury to take his place in the starting line-up.

Next Wednesday RI face a daunting trip to Yorkshire One champions Malton and Norton in the Yorkshire Shield with the winners facing a trip to Keighley in the semi-finals on Saturday, April 24. The other semi-final between West Park Bramhope and Beverley will also be played on that date.

Meanwhile, Malton and Norton wrap up their highly successful league campaign when they travel to Wheatley Hills with a full strength side anxious to make it four wins on the bounce.

Earlier in the season, they thumped the Doncaster-based side 49-7 at The Gannock, but it promises to be tougher this time round as Wheatley Hills have strung together some good results.

For their last game of the season at Pontefract, Selby retain the back division that operated so well two weeks ago in the home conquest of Old Crossleyans.

But Selby make two enforced changes in the scrum. Jason Cicero, an immense influence in the line-out, is unavailable. He will be replaced by Wright Phillips. Also out is Mark Toye with Kevin Weston deputising.

Selby need to win the game to ensure that the threat of relegation from Yorkshire One is lifted. If victory eludes them then they will have to rely on Old Crossleyans beating Old Brodlieans.

Pontefract also need a win to cement second place and a play-off promotion slot, especially as their closest rivals Keighley are expected to prevail at lowly Scarborough.

Games between Pontefract and Selby are traditionally tight - none more so than earlier this season when Pontefract, who were expected to win, needed a last-gasp try to level for a 10-10 draw.

Pride will be the lone spur for York who complete their North 2 East programme with a trip to bottom-placed Northern, the only side in the table with a worse record than the Clifton Parkers.

After 21 games apiece, York have nine points to Northern's five, so at least they cannot be overhauled by the anchor club. But coach Paul Matthews wants more out of the game than just pride.

With an eye to the future he has selected a young back line that includes the pivotal switch from full-back to fly-half for Mike Ford, who has expressed a keen desire to operate in the number ten slot. Shaun Bassey, meanwhile, will move from centre to full-back.

Said Matthews: "I am looking to see what the youngsters can do by letting them gain some senior experience with a view to next season when we intend to be back among the promotion-seekers."

Harrogate have a blank weekend ahead of Tuesday's attractive Yorkshire Cup second round tie at home to Leeds Tykes, kick-off 6.45pm.

They then return to league action next Saturday when they wrap up their campaign with a visit of mid-table Moseley to Claro Road.

Updated: 08:29 Friday, April 16, 2004