YORK should get a taster of what to expect next season when they face Goole in the first round of the Yorkshire Cup at Clifton Park tonight.

Andy Gair's men will take on Hartlepool Rovers on April 26 in the Yorkshire One/Durham and Northumberland One play-off and should they win they would win promotion to North Two East, passing relegated Goole on their way.

Goole have finished the season bottom of the North Two East standings and will drop into Yorkshire One along with second from bottom Scarborough - the winners of last season's play-off.

Encouragingly, York beat Goole 21-6 at the same stage last season, while they have already toppled Scarborough in the RFU Intermediate Cup this season.

Unavailability and work commitments mean York will only have a ten-strong first team core for the match, with the rest of the places filled by second team players.

Team manager Allan Robertshaw said: "It is not a case of resting anybody, it is a case that some of the players just aren't available.

"We wouldn't mind a run in the Yorkshire Cup, we will just have to see who we would get in the next run if we beat Goole and then take as it comes.

"The only problem is that the date for the next round comes just before the play-off on April 26, so that would make things a little tricky."

Also in action tonight are Pocklington, who face a repeat of last season's first round when they entertain National Two opposition Doncaster.

Pock were easily brushed aside last time out and they know that things will not get any easier at Percy Road tonight against a Doncaster side buoyed by their weekend win over Harrogate.

Experienced duo Derek Eves and Rob Liley are both expected to play, as are former Pocklington School duo Richard and Andrew Poskitt.

Ex England Schools centre Richard has been a regular in the Doncaster first team this season, while his brother Andrew has also been part of the squad in the back row. The third Poskitt brother, Mark - Andrew's twin - misses out.

The Pock challenge will not be helped by the loss of a number of key players through injury, although they are hoping that Yorkshire Under-20s duo Matt Webber and Henry Mitchell will be available.

Holders Harrogate, who along with Doncaster are among the favourites to win the competition, are in action at Selby tomorrow.

Rotherham and Wakefield have not entered this year and Leeds Tykes are fielding a Colts XV. Sandal, winners two years ago have withdrawn along with Sheffield and Dinnington.

Tonight's Yorkshire Cup first round games: Huddersfield v Morley (7.30), Hull Ionians v Sheffield Tigers (6.30), Leeds Tykes v Old Brodleians (7.30), Middlesbrough v Redcar (6.15), Pocklington v Doncaster (6.30), Wharefedale v Cleckheaton (7.15), Wheatley Hills v Castleford (6.15), York v Goole (6.15),

York (meet 5.30pm, for 6.15pm kick-off): from, Tom Copeland, Rob Liddle, Mike Westwood, Eric Cannell, Rob Taylor, Sean Bass, Ben Quick, Gary Cassidy, Garath Thomas, Nathan Savage, Stuart Davis, Jeremy Clutton, Jim Hawcutt, Joe Nasson, Brad McDonald, James Hillings, Andy Smith, Simon Humphries, Dave West, Paul Louw.

Updated: 09:44 Tuesday, April 15, 2003