YORK RUFC will bring the first half of their season to a close tomorrow when they travel to Bradford Salem in a naggingly critical Yorkshire One tie.

It's fourth versus fifth and victory is imperative if the Clifton Parkers' promotion dreams are to survive into the New Year.

York put up a brave fight in a 12-12 draw with leaders Sheffield Tigers last time out, becoming the first team in the league to take a point from the South Yorkshire side.

But wins for Old Crossleyans and Bridlington have opened up a three point gap to second place - meaning York cannot afford any more slip-ups.

It will be a tough tie at Bradford, who have settled well following Yorkshire Two promotion last season.

With six wins from their ten matches, York will have to battle - and could be overtaken by Salem if they lose.

The problems which have dogged selection for the Clifton Parkers so far this season remain evident.

Billy Caukanitabua is still out, as is Nathan McBride, who has failed to recover from injury, so veteran Rob Liddle will continue to fill in on the wing.

Lock Brad MacDonald is out, replaced by Joe Nassam, while Olly Councell will continue at blindside flanker. Ian Davies, rarely seen this term, makes a return to the bench.

Another top of the table clash is in store at The Gannock where Durham/Northumberland 1 leaders visit second.

Northern, currently in pole position, are the visitors to nearest-rivals Malton and Norton.

It was generally agreed, in both camps, that Malton's clash last week with Horden probably saw the best two teams in the league. However, Northern will not surrender easily.

Malton make two changes. New Zealander Karl Shaw makes his first start in the second row in place of the unlucky John Dobson, while Tom Anderson will start at blind side flanker for Andy Mitchell who will regain match fitness in the seconds.

Selby make four changes, two of them positional, for the Yorkshire One trip to Huddersfield YMCA.

In the backs, Rich Topping switches from the wing to full back with Martin Bramley chosen to play at fly-half with Dan Porter dropping to the 2nd XV.

Sam Weller comes into the starting line-up on the wing with Simon Hall demoted to the bench. Andy Gabel also returns to the side on the other wing.

Ben Aked, after missing out last week with a bout of bronchitis, comes back into the reckoning with a place on the bench. Prop replacement Richard Fuller completes the bench trio.

This is a crucial game for Selby with YMCA now without a point all season after having a two-point deduction.

Pocklington will have to take on not just Old Brodleains, but the Halifax club's famous bleak, sloping pitch in a Yorkshire Two battle.

The West Yorkshire club's Hipperholme stronghold is a notoriously difficult place to get a result and, although mid-table, Brodleians have lost just once there all season.

Scrum-half Graham Pickering may have gone, but Panther James Dicks steps into the number nine shirt, where he will join Yorkshire Under-19 three-quarter Nick Bennett, who covers for missing vice-captain Sandy Mitchell.

York RI will look to continue their great form of late by recording another victory at Leeds-based side Baildon in Yorkshire Three.

But supporters will be hoping a win comes a little easier than last week's encounter against Thornesians when a last-minute kick propelled RI to victory.

Stand-off Matthew Yates will be missing from RI's line-up. He damaged a shoulder last week and Robin Grice will deputise.

Updated: 10:44 Friday, December 09, 2005