STRUGGLING York make some key changes in the backs for their must-win North Two East home game with high-flying Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Johan Koekemoer, who was their try-scorer in last week's narrow defeat at Redcar, moves from the centre to full-back for the Clifton Parkers, which releases Mike Ford to stand-off.

Andy Kay is poised to lead the side once again in the absence of skipper Pete Curtis but it will be a tough game against second-placed Middlesbrough who are pushing hard for promotion.

Malton and Norton make just one change to the starting line-up from last week's winning team at Yarnbury with Chris Robson stepping down to the subs bench to make way for Duncan Foster in the second row.

Visitors Dinnington are currently in mid-table of Yorkshire One, having had two big wins against Scarborough and Old Brodleians in recent weeks.

However, they are still not clear of the relegation zone and will be hoping to overturn the table-toppers at The Gannock but with competition for places high at The Gannock there will be no complacency.

Minimal changes will also be made at Selby for their crucial Yorkshire One match at Old Brodleians.

Winger Martin Protheroe is still struggling with a rib injury after last week's win at Scarborough, giving second-teamer Phil Raffan a chance to start.

The only other change is on the bench with Tom Bayston joining John Hick and David Batty.

Old Brodleians are currently three points behind Selby in the second relegation spot with 11 points.

A win would maintain Selby's eighth position, particularly as Wheatley Hills play Yarnbury at home, and would also give them some breathing space before going into next Saturday's match against league leaders Malton.

Promotion-chasing Pocklington have been given a double selection boost ahead of their Yorkshire Three match at bottom-of-the-table Leeds Corinthian.

Stand-off and goalkicker Kevin Bowling, and centre Rich Williman were both due to be watching international matches but have now made themselves available as Pocklington try to maintain their promotion push.

Bowling, who hails from the Principality and whose brother, Steve, is an ex-Welsh international, is on a trip to Sunday's Ireland v Wales game. But he has rearranged his schedule and will now fly from Leeds to Dublin a day late following tomorrow's game.

Williman had been due to be at Murrayfield on Saturday for Scotland's clash with England but he has given his ticket to club president, Peter Kite, and committed himself to Pocklington's cause instead.

Calf injury victim, Andy Kirby, is also in Dublin, but Pocklington have a quality replacement in Hertfordshire Under-21 scrum-half Johnny Frank, who is travelling up from Reading University to play.

The Leeds outfit pulled off one of the shocks of the season when they beat Pocklington's big rivals, Northallerton, a fortnight ago on their gluepot pitch in the Middleton district of Leeds.

York RI travel to fourth placed Thornensians in Yorkshire Three.

Harrogate take a break from National Two action and are next in action at Doncaster on February 28.

Updated: 09:38 Friday, February 20, 2004