YORK RI head off on the cup trail this weekend when they go south to take on Sheffield-based outfit Stocksbridge in the Tetley's Bitter Vase.

Having clinically dispatched of Stanley Rodillians in the previous round - despite having a number of key players missing - the Railwaymen will face a tougher examination of their credentials by Yorkshire Three outfit Stocksbridge.

Inspired by fly-half Dave Francis, Stocksbridge have moved to within three points of the leaders in their division, while RI have enjoyed mixed fortunes in the Yorkshire Two - lying in mid-table after eight matches.

"It will be tough for us," said team manager Nigel Lowery. "We had them watched at the weekend and they played very much as we expected.

"They play more up front than in the backs, but if we are focused we can win. Whatever happens you've got to beat teams like this."

Prop Paul Reid and centre Nick Humphries are both unavailable, so former Rowntree front row Mike Wilkinson comes in for his first team debut and Nick Ward is named in the backs.

With York RI tied up in cup action, their friendly against local rivals Malton and Norton has been postponed with The Gannock-based side now set to entertain Ripon.

With the pressure of league rugby off for the day an entertaining encounter is expected.

Malton make two changes in the three-quarters where Ian Mansell and Neil Gilbertson are unavailable so Tim Chapman and Liam Cowton return.

In the pack, Tom Eddy, Phil Ryan and Richard Webster will rest niggling injuries and Andy Barker, Tim Casey and Andy Mitchell will start after sitting on the bench last week.

Pocklington will field an experimental line-up for their home tie against Hull Ionians Hawks.

Having suffered a disappointing 47-14 reverse against Hull on Saturday, Pock' have decided to switch things around and have handed debuts to Trevor Smith and Dominic Cox.

Former St Peter's School pupil Smith is a 19-year-old flanker, while prop Cox is the son of former heavyweight wrestler John Cox.

Selby will entertain Horden tomorrow looking to bounce back from their 9-5 defeat against lowly rivals West Park Bramhope.

Selby are set to name a mainly first team squad, although a number of players will miss the clash as they are travelling down to watch England's international against South Africa at Twickenham.

Martin Prothero will start on the wing, Martin Bramley comes into the centres, Matt Smith will start at scrum-half and Matthew Rowlinson is named at No 8.

York are without a fixture this weekend, so coach Andy Gair will be casting his eye over the second team.

The seconds travel to Redcar in a friendly, with Gair using the break in first team action to see the fringe players in action.

Harrogate give a debut to Chris Horner in the back row as coach Ralph Zoing shuffles his pack again a tricky trip to Esher.

Richard Wade is recalled to number 8 after a couple of games in the second team to give a new look to the back row with Horner - signed from junior club Stockwood Park - on the blind-side flank and Mike Worden at open-side.

The combination allows Rijan Slater and John Dudley to move forward to make a new second row pairing, so Peter Taylor drops to the bench and there is no place for his RAF lock partner Paul Clark.

In the front row Scott Wilson, a late call-up when former England Under 21 prop Dean Hardcastle cried off for Plymouth, retains his place.

In the backs Zoing moves Jamie Barker to his preferred centre position with Paul Clayton getting his first start of the season on the right wing and Graeme Sarjeant dropping to the bench.

Updated: 11:20 Friday, November 23, 2001