York have their future in their hands tomorrow.
THE BOOTI-FUL GAME: York's Toby Cockcroft will be looking to make his kicking tell in their clash with Percy Park
A win at Percy Park will almost certainly mean that they will play in the new North (East) League next season.
Although last Saturday's 38-8 defeat at Selby was not the best preparation, they are quietly confident that they can finish their league season on a high note.
Much could depend on whether prop Dave Dorking has recovered from the shoulder injury he sustained at Selby.
It was the lack of Dorking, and unavailable front row colleague Andy Smith, this week that forced York to retire from the Yorkshire Cup as they could not find suitable cover for their clash with Jewson National two side Doncaster, which had been scheduled for Wednesday night.
Dorking's contribution to the pack's scrummaging power has proved invaluable, providing a stable platform from which to launch attacks.
If the prop is not available former Colt Adie Martin, who has been one of York's most improved players this season, will take his place.
Vice-captain Dave Spanton ret-urns to the second-row to provide the height, weight and experience that the pack was missing last week.
The physical presence of Ian Davies will also make a difference and Andy Proctor moves from No 8 to blind-side to accommodate his return.
The backs remain unchanged with the exception of Julian Ramsay, who comes in at full back, where his decisive incursions into the line and hard tackling could be critical.
The tactical kicking of York stand-off Toby Cockcroft is also set to be a feature of the game.
York's performances on their travels have been poor this season but they head to Northumberland in the knowledge that they beat Percy Park 27-3 at Clifton Park in November without being at their best.
Harrogate play their last home Jewson's National League One game of the season tomorrow against Newbury, followed by entertainment by Mike Green's Jazz Band, spring roast lamb and local real ale - win or lose.
The Gate side, however, must not let the prospect of a bean feast cloud their judgment when it comes to ending their home season with a flourish as Newbury will be no cake walk.
They pulled off a home draw against the Birmingham-Solihull side who gave Gate a hard time at Claro Road last Saturday and Newbury enter tomorrow's clash two points and one place above Harrogate.
Several Gate players are awaiting late fitness tests on injuries picked up against the Bees last Saturday so coach, Ralph Zoing, has delayed his final team selection.
However, Zoing is helped by the fact he has hooker Steve Salkeld, Fijian flanker Tom Tabua, former England Colt No. 8 Steve Baker, scrum half Owen Drane and assistant coach Ian Hassall standing by.
Harrogate duo James Tapster and Matthew Boyle are in the starting XV for Yorkshire Under-20s' clash with North Midlands at Moseley RFC on Sunday.
Yorkshire Under-15s and Under-16s are also in action on Sunday, at Keighley and Bradford and Bingley, respectively. Both will be looking to extend their winning runs, and both face arch rivals Lancashire.
Yorkshire Under-20s: D Richardson (Stockton); G Boyd (Pontefract), P Spily (Leeds Tykes), S Brimmacombe (Brad and Bing), J Tapster (Harrogate); C Hodgson (Durham Univ), J Gill (Harlequins, captain); C Mason (Cleckheaton), A Tindall (Newcastle Univ), C Carson (Leeds), J Tiffany (Leeds Tykes), M Boyle (Harrogate), B Pattinson (Middlesbro'), T Long (Durham Univ), A Allen (Birmingham Univ). Replacements: A Brickell (Sheff Tigers), D McGee (Keighley), D Castle, Jonathan Sewell (Durham Univ), C Chapman (Stockton), J Morrison (Bridlington), G Lewis (Huddersfield).
Under-15s: from J. Buchanan (Sheffield), J Capel (Brad and Bing), C Chapman, C Lunn (Driffield), T Daniels, J Lee (Yarnbury), J Doyle, M Watson (Harrogate), L Duffy (Otley),R Guest, A Hayes, M Hills, P O'Donovan, G Townsley (all Doncaster), S Hinchcliffe (Barnsley), A Jordan, P Kenyon (Otley), D Macheyevich (Beverley), M Shuttleworth (Wharfedale), S Worrall (capt), T Watts, (both Thornensians), A Woodward (Middlesbrough).
Harrogate host the Yorkshire Under-19s Colts Cup final between Leeds and Middlesbrough on Monday.
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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