FORMER Pocklington coach Gary Pearce heads back to his old stomping ground tomorrow when his Hull charges head to Percy Road.

Ex-Wales RU and RL fly-half Pearce spent nine years at Pock', winning three titles, the Yorkshire Shield and the Rugby World 'Team of the Year', but he parted company with the club in the middle of last season.

Pearce now returns, alongside ex-Pock players Ben Connolly, Julian Barkworth, James Ward, Jason Nicholson and Steve Hogarth, with his new and old clubs experiencing differing fortunes.

Pock' are rooted to the bottom of Yorkshire One and in desperate need of the win, while Hull and their band of ex-rugby league stars, are pushing for promotion.

"Hull will no doubts be favourites, but we believe we can match them," said team manager Phil Gilbank. "We feel our commitment will match their extra resources.

"It is one of those scenarios where we will be up for it, with a point to prove."

Rob Nolan, George Mangalo and Andy Green all return for the tie as Pock' look negate the talents of Hull's Super League recruits Leroy Mackenzie, Ma'ea David and Brad Hepi.

Andy Gair has warned York's Yorkshire One rivals that 'there is a lot more to come' from his side this season.

York, who entertain joint-leaders Pontefract tomorrow, racked up their best result of the season with a 37-15 victory over Beverley on Saturday.

But Gair believes the win is just the tip of the iceberg. He said: "As a performance there is a lot more to come.

"It was nice to see the stuff we have worked on coming off, but there was another 20 or 30 points that we were capable of getting.

"The pleasing thing is that afterwards the players, although happy with the win, knew there was more they could do."

The York squad will get their chance to show what they can do against Pontefract.

"Two points would put us right back in the promotion race," said Gair. "It will be a good, hard game."

Rob Liddle is a doubt for the game after he received 15 stitches to a head wound, while Andy Smith is definitely out after breaking his jaw.

After showing their teeth in the 42-19 mauling of Sheffield Tigers, Selby have a chance to pull further clear of the drop zone when they entertain struggling West Park Bramhope.

The Leeds-based side, who were relegated from North Two East last season, have struggled to adjust to life in Yorkshire One and will find Selby unlikely to show any sympathy.

Team manager Richard Besley said: "There is a buoyant feeling at the club that we've now turned the corner.

"There are still a few things we need to work on as we dominated 90 per cent of the game against Sheffield Tigers, but lapsed into periods of self-destruct which resulted in them scoring.

"We are not expecting to win as we have been caught out by that before, but the feeling is that we have significantly improved."

Only Martin Bramley is unavailable for the tie, with Tony Godfrey set to replace him in the centres, while forward John Hick also returns.

A victory over Northallerton would give York RI some much-needed breathing room at the bottom of Yorkshire Two.

York RI, who drew 6-6 with West Leeds on Saturday, are currently hovering above the danger zone after an indifferent start to the season.

Geoff Russell is added to the squad for the clash, while the club are waiting on news on the fitness of Liverpool University student Sam Harland.

Malton and Norton have the luxury of selecting from a full complement of players for their home clash against Bradford Salem.

Malton go into the game with high hopes of gaining the sort of victory which should put some light between themselves and the rest of the pack at the head of Yorkshire Three.

Currently lying second by virtue of points difference, Malton could do with a similar result to last week's 50-14 victory over Hessle in their quest to open up a lead at the top.

Neil Gilbertson returns to the fold after several weeks of second team action due to the good form of Liam Cowton.

Four tries for the second team last week have given Gilbertson the chance to regain his place. Competition is tough and Cowton will be fighting to regain a place.

Twickenham hat-trick man Tim Chapman finds himself on the bench for this game having missed the Hessle victory.

Former England hooker Graham Dawe and his unbeaten charges lie in wait for Harrogate when they make the trip down to Plymouth tomorrow.

Harrogate, who stuttered to victory over struggling Nottingham at the weekend, have made just one change for the long trip to the south west.

The vastly experienced Peter Taylor, a half-time replacement against Nottingham, starts in the second row in place of his RAF colleague Paul Clark.

Updated: 11:38 Friday, November 16, 2001