YORK RUFC head coach Sean Bass is looking to “leader” Lee Denham to help his side round off 2010 with a derby victory over Selby tomorrow.

Clifton Park, weather permitting of course, will host the Yorkshire One duel and Bass is backing his men to return to winning ways following a “frustrating” three-week break because of snow and ice.

“The only good thing is that we have had a few unavailable,” Bass said. “We now have a fairly strong side available.

“We understand that Selby have been improving and recruiting. They played last week so they will be a little less rusty than us but we want to start back with a bang.”

With skipper Jon Sharpe unable to play, Bass has brought Denham into the back row and believes he could make a big difference.

“Lee is a massive leader on the park,” he said. “I wanted to put some grunt into the back row and Lee Denham looks imposing. Put him on a rugby field and he gives the lads a boost.”

Bass added: “We’ve also brought in Gareth Singleton (in the backs). He came back to us at the start of the season – he had played a bit of rugby league. He was frustrated in the seconds and, when he got his chance, he played well against the top sides like Malton and Sheffield.

“He pulled his hamstring and got back in time for the Castleford game, which was called off. He’s impressing in training and is a formidable young man.

“He’s all ears, he’s just 21 and he will improve no end.”

Selby’s wait for a game ended last week and they made the most of it with a 22-10 victory over Bridlington at Sandhill Lane. That put them level on points with York in mid-table, but they have played a game more.

Malton & Norton are at Dinnington looking to increase their lead at the top of the Yorkshire One table by recording their 12th straight victory.

It is Malt’s last match before the annual Christmas and New Year break and they are earmarked to return to action on January 8 with a home game against Castleford.

Pocklington continue to select in hope and expectation, and they make two changes for the visit to old rivals Ripon in Yorkshire Two.

In the pack, joint vice-captain and former York College of Law skipper Andy Wilson comes in for Chris Morton.

Wilson injured a rib in September but has worked his way back through training and in Panthers matches in recent weeks.

In the backs, leading try scorer and England Fire Services three-quarter Tim Nixon returns after being unavailable through work for the past two weeks.

When the two sides met at Percy Road at the end of September it was only 13-11 at the interval. But Pocklington played their best rugby of the season in the second half to surge to a 38-18 victory, with Nixon running in two tries.

In Yorkshire Three, York Railway Institute are without a game. In Yorkshire Five, Nestlé Rowntree entertain Wibsey.