ALTHOUGH there are two matches in September, this weekend it's make-or-break time for York Cricket Club's campaign to retain the Yorkshire ECB Premier League chanpionship.

Marcus Wood takes an unchanged side to Barnsley tomorrow, but holds his options open in the light of weather and form for Monday when York entertain second-placed Harrogate.

York currently enjoy a margin of seven points and a match in hand over 'Gate whom they beat earlier in the season.

Harrogate have a strong batting line-up in skipper John Inglis, Ryan Bradshaw and Vic Craven. All three are former Headingley staff men and former York player Alexis Twigg is also a heavy scorer.

Barnsley represent not much less of a task as they are third in the league and are an improving outfit.

Their square has been relaid so local experience of how the pitch plays will be a home advantage. If York can return with at least the minor six win points it will place added pressure on Harrogate to secure an outright win at Clifton Park on Monday.

Looking further ahead, the venue for York's Black Sheep Brewery Final against Pudsey Congs on September 4 has been switched to Bradford and Bingley's Wagon Lane ground. The York club is planning to take a coach and, for this and other travel inquiries, please contact Chris Houseman on 01904 610258.

York's Bank Holiday Monday teams

York (v Harrogate) from: Wood, N Kay, Mason, Bell, Sheedy, Bartram, Flack, Broadbent, Thornicroft, Snell, Durham, Mortimer. Meet 11am. Start: noon. Scorer: R Wade.

York 2nd XI (at Carlton Towers) from A Kay, English, A Boyle, Hough, Boasman, Beales, Mackfall, McGrady, Warne, Ledgeway, Mortimer, Bartram. Meet: 11.15am. Start: 1pm. Scorer: G Billingham.

York 3rd XI (v Thirsk): Jones, Lancaster, Hodson, Mendham, Horseman, Bainbridge, Green, Hall, Wilks, Horner, P Smith. Meet noon. Start 1pm. Scorer: L Fox.

Updated: 11:22 Friday, August 26, 2005