REVIVED York RUFC head north into make-or-break territory in the battle to avoid the drop from North Two East.

Buoyed by a brace of wins, albeit the latter being a club friendly over Goole, the Clifton Parkers resume league action tomorrow with a game away to Redcar. While their North-East hosts occupy a mid-table slot they are only three points better off than second-from-bottom York, who also have a clash against another 12-point outfit in Horden in three weeks' time.

So victory tomorrow and then against Horden would not only aid York's relegation scrap, but would drag their two rivals into an expanding dog-fight.

Said York's director of rugby Andy Gair: "Our performances have improved of late and we will be going to Redcar with the expectation of getting a good result.

"If we win there that makes the run-in to the season very interesting for half-a-dozen clubs, because as it stands now only five points separate ourselves in 11th spot and the fifth-placed team."

Ahead of tomorrow's Redcar jaunt, York will make fitness tests on tight head prop Dave Dorking, who is waiting an all-clear on an injured knee, and back-rower Andy Kay, who suffered a bruised shoulder against Goole last week.

One over the eight will be the spur for Harrogate, who entertain Bracknell in National Division Two seeking to end a run of six defeats and two draws from their last eight outings.

The last of those draws was a 13-13 share-all with Nuneaton last week, a performance encouraging enough for the selectors to go with the same team in a successive match for the first time this season.

That means that hooker Mark Erven, who made his debut as captain against Nuneaton, will continue in the skipper's role, while leading points-scorer Lee Cholewa remains on the bench to where there is a return for ankle injury victim Mike Worden.

Yorkshire One table-toppers Malton and Norton make three enforced changes for the visit to Yarnbury.

Full-back Jason Simpson suffered a head injury in last week's win over Keighley and is replaced by George Mosey, one of the crop of youngsters waiting in the wings.

Centre-threequarter David Webster suffered a groin strain in the same match and is replaced by another youngster, Ryan Lonsdale, while in the pack second-row Duncan Foster is unavailable, losing his ever-present tag. Chris Robson is his replacement.

Yarnbury are currently in mid-table but not yet clear of relegation fears and a tight battle is expected.

After their club friendly conquest of a Cleckheaton side, Selby get back to more serious league matters with a must-win trip to Yorkshire One anchor club Scarborough, who boast just one win from their 16 outings so far this season.

Just after that clash Selby visit fellow strugglers Old Brodleians before then hosting current divisional leaders Malton and Norton.

But it's the prize of adding to Scarborough's woes that is the major incentive for Selby, who while lying third from bottom are ten points clear of the coast corps.

However, Old Brodleians trail Selby by just one point, so the pressure is on to plunder maximum reward tomorrow.

For Selby, Andy Bennett returns at centre with Simon Hall switching to full-back in place of the unlucky David Batty. He drops down to the bench, while Andy Gabel comes in to replace Paul Scott.

Mark Toye, who has been impressive over the last fortnight, stays in the second row at the expense of Kevin Lowery. Dave Christison is to return as one of the flankers.

Promotion issues occupy the thoughts of Pocklington as they return from their Yorkshire Shield success over Leodiensians with a Yorkshire Three clash at home to mid-table Bramley.

The Percy Roaders, thrilled that promotion rivals Northallerton crashed to bottom-placed Leeds Corinthians last week to maintain Pock's two-point advantage, emphatically toppled Bramley earlier in the season. But the West Yorkshire side have since made several new signings who have helped to generate an upsurge in form.

A big blow for the hosts is that powerful young wing Tim Nixon is now unavailable for several weeks.

The Holme-on-Spalding Moor flier has joined the North Yorkshire Fire Service and is therefore out of the reckoning while he completes his induction training. His place will be taken by either Yorkshire Under-18 three-quarter Brad Bold or club secretary Rob Jackson.

In the pack, lock Stewart Rowley and flanker Scott Littlefair return to the senior ranks.

Elsewhere in the same division, York RI welcome Stocksbridge bidding to avoid their sixth consecutive league defeat.

Pocklington's Under-13s gave a spirited display before losing 32-17 to Malton and Norton in the Yorkshire Plate quarter-finals.

After shipping two early tries the Pock youngsters countered with a try from Nathan Prosser. Malton however were too powerful, though it proved a fine day for Prosser, who went on to complete a hat-trick. This week the Pock youngsters visit Withernsea. Newcomers are welcome and should contact Phil Gilbank tel 01759 305888.

Updated: 11:14 Friday, February 13, 2004