MOVING IN: 'JP' Laycock returns to the York first string as skipper Nigel Durham stands down

York RUFC will field a much-changed back division tomorrow when they travel to Redcar in search of their first away win in Thwaites North East Division One.

Of the backs, only Craig Ventress and Ed Bennison remain from the side which was beaten 55-0 at Darlington last week.

Centres Doyle and Ramsey, and wingers Liddle and Parsonage, are all unavailable. Simon Bullough returns to full back in place of Jason Wood, who moves to his more accustomed place on the wing.

Making his debut on the other wing is Tom Heppleston in place of Sean Bass who returns to the centre.

Skipper Nigel Durham stands down to allow "JP" Laycock, a regular last year until injury problems, to have a run after a number of solid performances in the second team. Durham is on the substitutes' bench.

Into the front row comes Adie Martin who starts for the first time. He takes the place of Andy Smith who joins Durham on the bench.

Heppleston, Martin and Ventress are all former Colts, proving the value of York's highly successful Junior and Youth Sections.

Hugo Battersby, a substitute last week, plays at wing forward in place of Andy Proctor who is unavailable. Ian Davies retains his place at No.8 after an impressive contribution when he came on as substitute last week.

Pair are out to make most of home comforts

Selby and Pocklington both have ground advantage in North East Division Two this week.

Selby entertain Wheatley Hills, who are second in the table, while leaders Pocklington face struggling West Hartlepool TDSOB.

Pocklington have a strong squad available with the exception of former Malton half-back John Newsome.

He badly twisted a knee in a tackle at Cleckheaton last Saturday and could be missing for the next two months.

Another former Malton and Norton half-back, Andy Kirby, who also had a spell with York, takes Newsome's place.

Ripon are involved in a bottom of North East Three battle at home to Newcastle side Medicals, and have Phil Staines returning from Territorial Army duty to take the place of Andy Foster.

York RI take on the Bramley Phoenix side that went down 5-0 to Scarborough last Saturday, RI's player-coach Andy Morse resuming at prop after taking a day off last week.

Hugh Roddon moves to the second row and Luke Belman goes to the bench.

Pete Russell takes over from Geoff Russell (no relation) at hooker as Nick Ward retains his place at the base of the scrum.

Dave Reed is named at centre after knee trouble, Ericson Atkins switches to wing with Paul Rimmer on the opposite wing.

John Paul Hogan from Ampleforth is also named in RI's squad displacing Nigerian Satayi Ockete.

Originally scheduled to play Leeds Development XV tomorrow, Nestl Rowntree save themselves for Sunday's important home North Yorkshire Cup tie when they face Wharfedale's Development side.

Ian Haw returns at lock after a rib injury to take the place of Ian Pace who is unavailable.

Steve Lott returns after recovering from a broken toe, while Dave Sowray switches to centre to make room for Nigel Grainger.

Many clubs seem to be turning their backs on opportunities to fill gaps with club fixtures and Harrogate announced that they have no games for the next two weeks..

Malton and Norton and Selby did not take steps to fill gaps on their fixtures lists last Saturday either and now 'Malt', for the second week running, take another week off as their original opponents, Sheffield Tigers, are involved in the Tetley's Bitter Vase.

Malton & Norton could be without a fixture the following week too.

Treasurers of the clubs involved must be tearing their hair out at the loss of bar takings that have always been seen essential for the financial stability of clubs.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.