YORK will be hoping there is no repeat of the ugly scenes that marred their Yorkshire One clash with Bridlington earlier in the season.

York were toppled 20-7 at Clifton Park, but the game will be better remembered for a touch-line brawl, while flanker Gareth Thomas has not played since after receiving a nasty head injury that left him with a fractured eyeball socket and a severed nerve in the cheek.

Although the referee on the day took no action, both sets of players will be warned to be on their best behaviour for the return fixture at Dukes Park.

Team manager Allan Robertshaw said: "It is difficult because we don't blame ourselves for what happened, but we don't want the same thing to happen.

"If they decide to rough us up, we'll stand up to them within the laws of the game."

The result will have a huge impact on York's title hopes. Bridlington's shock defeat last week by North Ribblesdale mean they are just two points ahead of Andy Gair's charges at the top of the table.

"We are taking this as a hugely important game for us that we want to win," said Robertshaw. "We are not sure why they lost to North Ribblesdale - whether it was down to players being unavailable or whether they had players sin-binned."

Due to the Christmas and New Year break, York have delayed naming their squad until before the game.

The selectors face a tough task in naming the side as they are back to full-strength, but player-coach Peter Curtis is certain to return to the engine room of the pack.

Selby could move back among the top clubs in the division if they can add to Dinnington's misery.

Having topped the table early on in the season, Dinnington have suffered a torrid time of late as they have slipped down the rankings.

And with a 24-11 success over their South Yorkshire rivals already, Selby will be out to complete a seasonal double and move back into the top four.

With no first team game last week, the Selby players have had a chance to enjoy a spell of rest and recuperation, leaving the selectors to pick from a full-strength squad.

Flanker Richard Webster could come in to replace David Cooke as Malton and Norton look to keep their promotion tilt alive against Old Leos.

Malton's exploits in the Powergen Junior Vase may have slightly taken the emphasis off the club's Yorkshire Two campaign, but they remain in with a shout of a second successive promotion.

With their match against Ilkley still to rearrange, the Gannock-based side are just four points behind leading duo Keighley and West Park Bramhope.

Pocklington return to league rugby when they entertain Ripon at Percy Road on Saturday, kick-off 2.15pm.

Lock Mark Biggin will be missing after aggravating a neck injury on Boxing Day, while Rich Williman will deputise in the centre for Rob Jackson, who has shin splints.

The club's junior and mini-rugby section also resumes on Saturday morning, though players are asked to confirm fixtures with their respective coaches due to ground and weather conditions.

Buoyed by their friendly victory over Northallerton, York RI will return to Yorkshire Three action full of confidence.

The Railwaymen travel to Leeds Corinthians knowing they need to claw themselves away from the danger end of the table, especially after they slipped to relegation last year.

However, the arrival of new coach Chris Leathley seems to have had a positive impact on the club, as Yorkshire Two outfit Northallerton will testify to having lost 22-20 on Saturday.

Promotion-chasing Harrogate face a tough trip to Sedgley Park in National Two tomorrow.

The race to join the National One ranks is hotting up with the top six separated by five points, but third-placed Harrogate can scupper sixth-placed Sedgley's hopes with a victory at Park Lane.

Updated: 11:39 Friday, January 03, 2003