A BIG NAME scalp and a first away win of the season is the goal for York tomorrow as they bid to climb the North Two East league table.

The Clifton Parkers visit West Hartlepool, who only a few years ago were playing Premiership rugby.

Since those heady days, the Teessiders have slid down the leagues on an annual basis to North Two East where they appear to have found a level at which they can hold their own. They are currently one point and one place above York, but a victory for the visitors would see them leapfrog their hosts in the table.

The selectors have made a number of changes to the York team that beat bottom club Northern 13-6 last Saturday.

In the backs, Jonathan Kemp retains his place on the wing as Rob Kama is injured, and Ben Quick, who missed the Northern game through illness, replaces Craig Ventress. In the pack, skipper Pete Curtis, who was also a late withdrawal last week, returns in place of Matt Halifax, and props James Nuttal and Andy Smith return to the squad in the absence of Dave Dorking.

Pocklington's Yorkshire Three game against Roundhegians has become a must-win affair following their cruel defeat at Castleford.

Pock are now four points off the top two in the table and a victory is crucial for their promotion hopes as Roundhegians are also early contenders.

The Leeds-based outfit led the table and were unbeaten for the first third of the season, but have suffered three defeats in recent weeks to drop off the pace and fall below Pock on points difference, and they will also be desperate to win to get back in the frame.

The selectors at the Percy Road club have kept keep faith with the squad that made the trip to Castleford and looked the better side despite defeat, though there is a doubt about second-row and main lineout man Mark Biggin, who came off after half an hour with a back strain last Saturday.

Meanwhile, High-flying Malton and Norton make the short trip down the A64 to take on struggling Scarborough in Yorkshire One for the first of their local derbies.

It is effectively a top-versus-bottom encounter as Malton, who are unchanged, are second only on points difference to Pontefract while Boro are six points adrift at the foot of the table.

Fellow Yorkshire One side Selby travel to Halifax to take on Old Crossleyans, where last year they gave perhaps their most impressive performance of the season, winning 27-8.

They make four changes, one positional, to the side which played so well in last week's drawn derby against leaders Pontefract.

Toby Pemberton, after spending three weeks on the bench, comes into the side at full-back with Paul Scott switching to the wing in place of Andy Gabel, who is unavailable. John Webster, back from injury, replaces Hamish Burns at fly-half, Ian Copperwheat replaces Paul Gabel at prop, with Sam Longthorpe, also back from injury, and John Hick joining Hamish Burns on the bench.

Selby lie third from bottom in tenth place, but only four points separate third and 11th meaning a victory tomorrow could lift the Sandhill Laners several places in the table, and possibly see them leapfrog their hosts on points difference.

Updated: 12:11 Friday, December 05, 2003