YORK RUFC will be taking no chances when they meet North Shields in the second round of the Powergen Intermediate Cup at Clifton Park on Saturday.

In what should be a straightforward victory for York against the Durham and Northumberland One strugglers, the Clifton Parkers have still named a strong side to meet the Tynesiders.

Following their first round win against Acklam, York will be expecting to notch up an easy win against a side, who have won just one of their opening five matches. And, to prove they are not taking things lightly, it's a powerful 15 that will take to the field.

Nathan McBride, who scored a hat-trick in a spectacular derby day performance against Selby but was unavailable last week, is unlucky not to even make the bench as Rob Kama and Fijian Billy Cakaunitabua are named as York's strike force.

Nick Ventress and Rob Taylor form the centre partnership, meaning Sam Arkle, who also missed last week's win at Wheatley Hills, will have to settle for a place among York's substitutes. Carl Paterson and Graeme Smith are the half-backs.

In the pack, Ady Martin, Rob Allen and Kiwi Cory Wallace are the front row, meaning Jamie Sharpe is on the bench, while Rob Sparrow and Grant Williams form a strong partnership at lock - and will be hoping to improve on York's inconsistent line-out showings in Yorkshire One.

Skipper Andy Kay and Stu Davies, who has had an impressive start to this year's campaign, are the flankers.

It's a game that, on paper at least, York should win with something to spare and, with a third round tie at stake, the Clifton Parkers are giving it their full attention.

In the same competition, Middlesbrough are the visitors to Malton and Norton's The Gannock stronghold.

Two seasons ago the sides met at the same stage and Middlesbrough just held on to win 27-24 after a great fight-back by Malton.

Hopefully Malton can do the business this time. Certainly they will not lack spirit or endeavour.

One or two recently injured squad members are regaining fitness and after late tests there could be returns to the fold for second-row John Dobson and scrum-half Andy Newsome.

However, their stand-ins, Tom Stephenson and Chris Robson, have performed admirably in their absence to ensure that automatic recall is not guaranteed.

Paul Dobson will resume at prop, having been unavailable last week, with James Machin moving to the bench in place of the evergreen and willing Pat Stephenson in an otherwise unchanged side.

With Malton currently attracting crowds of around 200 each week, tomorrow's tie has all the prospects of being a bumper day when the large Teesside contingent swell the attendance.

Updated: 09:42 Friday, October 14, 2005