One eye on the spectre of relegation, the other on the future - that's the trained gaze occupying the attention of York Rugby Union Club.

After last week's stirring Powergen North Two East conquest of Bridlington to ease the threat of the dreaded drop, the Clifton Parkers are consigned to featuring in a club friendly tomorrow.

Their scheduled league opposition are otherwise engaged in fixtures hit by last week's deluge and white-out leaving York to concentrate on the visit of former rivals Goole in a club clash.

But while there may be no points at stake tomorrow, York's incentive is two-fold, declared head coach Andy Gair.

The 29-8 battering of Bridlington was testament to the sense of supplementing Gair's coaching staff with Paul Matthews, who was given full responsibility for the senior squad ahead of the Bridlington duel.

The desire is to maintain the progress shown last week, said Gair, but he added that just as vital was the opportunity to blood several youngsters against opposition who can be relied on to be physically and tactically testing.

"We want to build on what was established in the Bridlington match and during the build-up to it," said Gair. "But there's also a number of second team players who we would like to see in the senior ranks to see how they can cope with the demands of senior rugby."

Among the likely candidates for promotion against Goole is South African import Johann Koekemoer. The centre has excelled in lower-grade rugby recently so earns the chance to step up.

Following last week's postponement owing to a waterlogged pitch, Yorkshire One title-hopefuls Malton and Norton will now play fourth-placed Keighley at The Gannock.

After a slow start Keighley have found some form of late to climb the league and contest the honours' positions. But spirits are high at The Gannock and Malton will be out to put right the reversal at Goole two weeks ago and maintain their comfortable lead at the top.

There are two changes to the Malton line-up. Will Barber has gone to New Zealand and his place in the centre will be taken by veteran Tim Chapman. Jon Newsome, unavailable last week, returns at scrum half.

Something's got to give for Harrogate, who are deep in National League Two doldrums when they entertain Nuneaton tomorrow.

The visitors have registered two consecutive shut-outs against Bracknell and Lydney, while Harrogate's wretched run has stretched to six defeats and one draw from their last seven games.

After the 24-13 to anchor club Lydney last week, the selectors have rung the changes.

In the backs Matt Duncan switches from centre to stand-off displacing Lee Cholewa, while Graham Sergeant is back into the side and South African Johann Visser takes the scrum-half role from John Newton.

The forwards have also been shuffled. David Hall is back at prop and Richard Wade comes into the back row for captain Mike Worden, who damaged an ankle in training.

Knockout rugby is the preserve for Pocklington, who will be hoping for third time lucky tomorrow.

That's when they will play their twice-delayed Yorkshire Shield first round tie away to Leodiensians.

There will be two changes for the visitors. Flanker Scott Littlefair is unavailable so Adam Pears steps into the breach at open side, while Rich Williman comes into the centre for Guy Wilson.

Selby, originally scheduled to play Sandal, depart the rigours of Yorkshire One basement toil, by playing a club fixture against Cleckheaton.

The back division remains the same as that which spearheaded last week's 31-5 home triumph over Dinnington.

In the front row Mark Tomlinson replaces skipper Andrew Pocklington, who is not available for the game, while Shane Sellers replaces hooker Tom Bayston.

Taking bench duty are replacement prop Ian Copperwheat, Mark Toyre and Martin Protheroe as Selby aim to maintain their upswing in form ahead of next week's critical showdown against fellow strugglers Scarborough.

York RI head to Moortown in Yorkshire Three in a game re-arranged from last week with both sides locked in mid-table on the same 11-point haul after 15 games apiece.

RI number eight Nathan Ashman returns after injury and they also bring on to the bench 17-year-old utility player Robin Grice.

Updated: 09:11 Friday, February 06, 2004