If York Rugby Union Club thought the Yorkshire Cup was going to give them some respite from a difficult season then they'll have to think again.

Tonight's first round tie at Clifton Park sees them tackle runaway Yorkshire One champions Cleckheaton (6.15pm).

However, York, relegated from North East Two, will have been encouraged by their display at Beverley on Saturday where a last-minute penalty denied them only their second league point of the season.

The York selectors have made a few changes for tonight's game.

Dirk Mulder, who was injured against Goole on February 10, makes his return to the first team following a couple of games in the reserves.

Normally a stand-off, he will begin his comeback in the centre after being on the bench last week.

Rob Liddle comes in on the wing with Tom Heppleston dropping to the bench. There are also several changes in the pack.

York: Davies, Hurst, Mulder, Bass, Liddle, C Ventress, Arkle, Humphries, Allen, Harding, Thornton, West, Savage, Hawcutt, Bewell, Heppleston, N Ventress, Latimer, Martin, Smith. Meet 5.15.

Beverley, last-gasp victors over York four days ago entertain a virtual Harrogate second string.

Visiting coach Ralph Zoing intends to give his Georgians regulars a reward for the hard work that has put them high in the seconds' merit table.

Only one first teamer, tight-head prop Scott Wilson, starts although senior forwards John Dudley and Steve Hobson will be on the bench.

Stand-off Richard Windle and full-back Keith Quigley, both outstanding all season, will be keen to impress Zoing.

Pocklington's tie against Redcar at Percy Road, originally scheduled for tonight, has been put back until next Tuesday, April 10 (6pm).

Half of the 16 first round ties took place last night, including Selby, who beat Bridlington 28-7 at Sandhill Lane.

Yorkshire One outfit Selby, quarter-finalists for the last two years, led their higher-ranked opponents 10-7 at half-time.

Stand-off Carl Paterson put them ahead with a penalty before second row Jon Hick powered over from a maul, Paterson adding the extras.

Winger Chris Thompson hit back for Bridlington with a breakaway try from half-way which John Fisher goaled.

That came while Selby were a man down, scrum-half Dave Bramley having been sin-binned.

He made amends in the second half with a try following good play by Paterson and winger Tony Godfrey. Paterson, who had slotted over a penalty earlier in the half, converted superbly from wide out.

Right winger Mike Parsonage was awarded the 'moment of the match' award from the sponsors for a fine break which set up David Batty to score the final try.

Paterson added another penalty late on after two Bridlington forwards were sin-binned to complete the scoring.

Holders Doncaster, who have eliminated Selby at the quarter-final stage for the last two years, defeated South Yorkshire neighbours Wheatley Hills 48-15.

The draw for the second round takes place tonight at Old Crossleyans.

Tonight's matches: York v Cleckheaton, Old Crossleyans v Halifax, West Park Bramhope v Middlesbrough, Hull Ionians v Castleford, Sheffield v Huddersfield TMCA, Beverley v Harrogate, Morley v Pontefract.

Updated: 12:25 Wednesday, April 04, 2001