SKIPPER Marcus Wood is expecting a very tough day tomorrow as his York Cricket Club team travel to nearest challengers Rotherham in the Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier League.

The Clifton Parkers have a narrow four-point lead at the top of the pile, but their South Yorkshire travellers enjoy a game in hand – making victory in this top-of-the-table clash all the more important for both sides.

Wood says York put together their best cricket of the season last weekend when demolishing Cleethorpes by 165 runs before booking a place in the next stage of the National ECB Twenty20 competition at Scarborough.

They will need to replicate that form against Rotherham, who are traditionally strong on their home turf and currently boast Jacques Rudolph’s brother, Gerhardus, in their batting line-up.

He has scored just shy of 500 runs in nine games, at an average of 55, but his team slipped up against Scarborough last weekend and York will be hoping to take full advantage.

Wood said: “We know we have got a tough game. The league is about consistency throughout the season and, while this is not season defining, it is very important.

“If we can beat them it gives us a bit of a psychological advantage but we have traditionally always had a tough game there and they have got a team with two or three standout players in it.

“Everything goes out of the window and it’s all about how you play on the day. If we can, as a team, start well it will give us confidence. We have to make sure we don’t have any poor points – a poor ten overs could mean we lose a game. It’s about ensuring we don’t lose two or three quick wickets or allowing them to have a big stand.

“We played our best cricket so far last weekend and we have to take that confidence into this weekend.”

Wood will step aside on Sunday as York entertain Wrenthorpe in the Black Sheep Champions Trophy. As has become usual this season, wicket-keeper Nigel Durham, who will be behind the stumps tomorrow, will also make way as Ben Earl and Andy Tute come into the squad.

Meanwhile, bowler Jonny Moxon, son of Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s director of cricket, Martyn Moxon, has left York to join the Tykes’ Yorkshire Academy side at Headingley.

The club have thanked him for his efforts while at Clifton Park.