HARROGATE centres Jamie Barker and Matt Duncombe were denied the opportunity to pit their talents against rugby league legend Gary Connelly on Saturday.

Great Britain and Wigan Warriors RL centre Connolly had been named in the Orrell to face Harrogate in the National Two encounter.

But the freezing temperatures meant the game has been postponed until the new year, leaving Barker and Duncombe kicking their heels for the time being.

Connolly, along with his Wigan team-mate Wes Davies - the grandson of the great Billy Boston - have been recruited by Orrell during the Super League close season as owner Dave Whelan looks to bring the glory days back to the Lancashire club.

But this is not Connolly's first spell at the 15-a-side code, with the 30-year-old enjoying a short spell with London giants Harlequins just after the game turned professional.

WHAT are the odds on a last-minute victory in the Selby-Pontefract fixture on Saturday?

The last two clashes between the Yorkshire One rivals have ended with the results being decided at the death.

The 2000/1 campaign saw Selby take the spoils when a sensational fight-back was sealed in the final seconds when Carl Paterson kicked a penalty.

However, Pontefract gained their revenge on December 1 this year when Nick Cooper was the hero when he slotted the ball over with the last kick of the game.

Now, with the return fixture at Sandhill Lane just seven days away the kickers for both teams are sure to be getting in plenty of practice.

FORMER Selby favourite Carl Paterson came back to haunt his old colleagues at Sandhill Lane in the annual Boxing Day exiles match.

Paterson, who is now plying his trade at Hull Ionians, took the leading role as the fly-half helped the Exiles to a 13-5 victory over Selby XV - there first win in many years.

Director of rugby Sam Longthorp said: "It is the first time for 15 or 20 years that the Exiles have won.

"They played very well though, with Carl Paterson and Phil Priestley impressing. It is one of the youngest Exiles sides I have ever seen."

Ian Copperthwaite starred for the Selby XV scoring their only points of the match.

WHILE figures from the RFU suggest there is a downturn in players coming into the game, there is no such problem at Malton and Norton.

The club are regularly fielding three teams with their third string having around 24 players turning out every week.

Club secretary Bill Laidler said: "Things are going well at the club. The seconds are winning a lot their games while our third team are getting 23/24 players turn up every week.

"Although they're not winning every game, they are making sure every player gets at least half a game."

THERE was no sweet victory for Nestl Rowntree when they took on local rivals York 4ths over the festive period.

Despite leading for the majority of the match, Rowntree couldn't maintain the momentum and were eventually overcome 13-10.

The first half ended with Nestl leading 7-3, with York's points coming from a penalty.

Nestl made it 10-3 shortly after the interval, but York's pack got hold of the game and narrowed the gap to just two points with a try.

York then secured the win in the final minutes when Jim Dunwell burst through for a try, leaving Nestl empty-handed.

Updated: 10:50 Saturday, December 29, 2001