York's selectors have given the players who narrowly lost to Selby last week a vote of confidence for tomorrow's trip to Huddersfield.

They have opted to make only one change for the North East Two journey to West Yorkshire with Simon Thornton returning to the second row having recovered from an eye infection.

Scott Boothroyd, who left the field with a head injury in the first half of last week's game, gets a further opportunity to stake a claim for the full-back berth.

Last week's other debutant, James Mell, who made an impressive appearance in the centre as a substitute, is again on the bench. Mell is a former Doncaster player.

The performance in the 16-10 defeat at the hands of Selby was much improved with the whole team showing more cohesion.

Athough Huddersfield are well placed in the league, York's selectors are optimistic that their first win is just around the corner.

A big factor in York's quest for success will be the kicking of stand-off Dirk Mulder, who will be partnered at half-back by James Arkle.

York's divisional rivals, Goole, bring in Jonty Wilcox at lock for Andy Wraith for the trip to Bridlington.

Pocklington have a busy weekend at Percy Road where Pocklington 1st XV meet old rivals Ripon and Cambridge University Ladies visit on both Saturday and Sunday.

The 1sts hope to have several key players back from injury to face Ripon in Yorkshire One, including skipper Sam Anderson, who has missed two months with a shoulder injury, former North Colts flanker Andy Wilson, out for the past four weeks with ankle damage, and leading try scorer Ben Connolly, who pulled a hamstring three weeks ago.

For Ripon, Ben Taylor returns at the expense of Mark Pickles. Mark Greensit comes into the back row for Ashley Thomas who is unavailable.

The Pocklington versus Ripon encounter has an unusual curtain raiser, as Cambridge University Women play Leeds Metropolitan University at noon, and after a full Sunday morning of mini and junior rugby, the Cambridge girls are back in action for the second game of their Pocklington tour when they face Malton and Norton Ladies at Percy Road (1.00).

Tom Bayston has not fully recovered from 'flu but returns to captain Selby at North Ribblesdale although Jason Cisero is missing after suffering a bad head injury.

Third-placed Selby already trail undefeated Yorkshire One leaders Cleckheaton by six points and know that if they come a cropper at North Ribblesdale then their title hopes will have virtually vanished - even with nine league games remaining.

Scarborough will be on the trail of their ninth consecutive Yorkshire Two win when Ilkley visit Newby tomorrow, although Ken Proctor is unavailable for Boro and Wayne Adams has a knee injury.

Sheffield Tigers, with two games in hand, provide a big threat to Scarbrough's leadership and the South Yorkshire side will be expected to pick up two more points at Roundhegians tomorrow.

Malton and Norton, still cock-a-hoop after beating Gosforth 27-14 in the fourth round of the Tetley's Bitter Vase, entertain Barnsley in Yorkshire Three without the Cooke brothers, Ian and David, who have returned to university.

Liam Cowton takes the place of Ian Cooke on the wing and David Knaggs comes in for David Cooke.

Mick Corner swaps his place on the bench last week with Pat Stephenson, Corner being named at No. 8.

Malton's first round Yorkshire Shield encounter with Wath on Dearne has been re-scheduled for February 3, but if Malton continue to make progress in the Vase, the revised Shield date might have to be rearranged again.

York RI have Hullensians as visitors and will be aiming to complete the double over the Humbersiders without Andy Keogh and Mark Bond, who are at a wedding.

York 'A' entertain Wharfedale at Clifton Park.