York are looking to kick-start their North Two East League season with a home win against mid-table Alnwick.

The return of James Arkle after injury allows Craig Ventress to move from scrum half to his more accustomed position of stand-off. Also back from injury is Tom Copeland who comes in at full back in place of Simon Bullough.

The only other change in the backs is Tom Heppleston on the wing in place of unavailable Will Farbrother.

In the forwards, two enforced changes have had to be made in the back-row. Ian Davies replaces Andy Proctor, who injured a knee at Old Crossleyans, and Andy Kay comes in for the unavailable Jim Hawcutt. The front five remain unchanged.

On the bench there is a welcome return to the first team squad for former skipper Dave Dorking and Nathan Savage.

Malton and Norton travel to Leeds Corinthians in Yorkshire Three with Tim Chapman making a welcome return at centre after being on Terrington School duty for the previous two weekends.

However, Tim Casey is absent because of an ankle injury.

Former Harrogate winger Jon-Paul Wong could be missing from York RI's side at Bramley Phoenix because of a broken finger.

Another ex-Harrogate player, Tim Barley, now with RI, fills the vital role at scrum half so Nick Ward reverts to the wing.

For their Yorkshire One trip to Hull, Pocklington are picking from a squad of 20 players because of a crop of injuries which includes a tweaked hamstring being suffered by Gary Pearce.

Pocklington's squad includes three former Hull players - Julian Barkworth, who was Hull RU's vice captain last year, John Oxley who captained Hull two seasons ago, and Jason Nicholson, who will be captaining Pocklington in the absence of Sam Anderson, who has a shoulder injury.

Former England 'B' full back Ray Adamson, who is equally at home as a player or a referee these days, retains Selby's No 15 jersey as Dave Batty is unavailable for the home game with Yarnbury.

Experienced prop Sam Longthorpe returns to Selby's front row for the Yorkshire One fixture, Ian Copperwheat moving to the replacements' bench.

Ripon, fresh from their 55-3 hammering by Huddersfield YMCA, face another stern test when they entertain unbeaten Cleckheaton, who boast former England threequarter John Bentley in their ranks, at Mallorie Park.

Paul Goldsmith and Alan Ross are named in Ripon's second row for Jeff Platt and Adam Ferris. Kevin Fletcher and Fred Oakes are brought into the backs, although Jason Bell is missing with an ankle ligament problem.

Goole's Richard Ruhmann and Graham Scott are both out of the trip to North Two East leaders Halifax after they both fractured legs in last week's 29-15 win over Morpeth.

Steve Johnson moves to No 6 and Tony Donoghue, the former Morley and Wakefield No 8, is named in the back three.

Scarborough travel to Dinnington in Yorkshire Two although their second team game against Dinnington has been called off.

Ian Warwick has recovered from a hamstring injury and Peter Edwards is named in the Scarborough side. Winger Ian Atkinson, 20, and Ken Procter are ruled out.

In Yorkshire Six, Nestl Rowntree entertain long suffering Wibsey, who have struggled to win a game for the last four seasons.

Mike Wilkinson takes the place of Graham Lavender, who needed four stitches to the inside of his mouth after last week's 18-17 defeat at Garforth, the offender being sin-binned.

Harry Seagrave will miss the next three months after needing surgery this week on a tear duct.

Rowntree hope is that the farming Sowray brothers, Dave and Joff, might be available if farming duties permit.