It never rains but it pours - that must be the understatement of the new Millennium.

And the legacy left behind by the floods will leave its mark on sports clubs for the rest of the season.

But one thing that players will have to get used to, after the floods have abated, is developing game-plans that take into account surfaces akin to the Eton Wall Game.

For several years now, mild winters have provided dry pitches that were in immaculate condition right up to the end of the season, while years ago muddy pitches produced a style of play that is not seen today - a pack of forwards dribbling the ball long distances at their feet.

Another problem for some clubs this week has been the inability to hold training sessions outdoors.

York's bid for their first win in North Two East against fellow strugglers West Park could be hit by the weather.

Their Clifton Park ground has been affected by the floods and the match is under threat. One pitch is entirely under water and the first-team pitch has been badly affected with water standing on it. The pitch, though, drains well and might dry out.

There are two changes to the team that was selected for last week's postponed match at Darlington.

Simon Bullough replaces Craig Ventress at full-back and Aidie Martin, who has recovered from injury, replaces Simon Humphries. On the bench is Ed Bennison, making a welcome return after injury.

Clubs are now quite prepared to forego ground advantage rather than run the risk of getting behind with their league fixtures - Goole are an example.

They were down to entertain Huddersfield in North Two East tomorrow but their coach, Dave Rose, was sure that their pitch would still be unplayable tomorrow.

His bit of good news was that two props return in the shape of Martin Milburn and Neil Lyon, though his huge problem was an acute shortage of second row forwards.

Missing from Goole's line-up are lock forward Andy Wraith and flanker Richard Sharpe who are both away.

York RI are at Sheffield Oaks in Yorkshire Three where Jon-Paul Wong is named on the wing and Geoff Russell is called up to the bench, displacing Pete Keeley.

Selby hope to be able to take on Cleckheaton at Sandhill Lane in a top of Yorkshire One clash, Ian Copperwheat being named at prop for Mark Tomlinson while Richard Topping is at full-back.

Ripon are at home to mid-table Pontefract but are without centre, Mark Luddiman. However, James Metcalfe returns from college to fill the vacancy, while Fred Oakes moves from fly-half to centre.

Pete Simms, who has recovered from a broken toe, is named at wing forward for Mark Greensitt.

If Yarnbury's ground is not playable, they have agreed to switch their Yorkshire One game to Pocklington whose squad includes Sam Anderson.

Former Great Britain and Welsh dual-coded league and union international Gary Pearce, player-coach at Pock, celebrates his 40th birthday tomorrow.

Dave Maycock captains Wether-by in Yorkshire Four at Mosbor-ough in the absence of Richard Jones, who has a hip injury.

A product of Scarborough's colts, Mark Ellinor, deputises for Wayne Adams at lock at Leodiensians tomorrow as Adams has a knee injury.

After their exciting win over Selby's fourth string last Saturday, Nestl Rowntree aim to dish out the same treatment to their visitors tomorrow, Wharfedale Rams.

With three of their next four games at home, Harrogate will be looking to cement top spot in National League Division Two.

They start with perhaps the easiest game on Saturday (kick-off 2.15pm) against Fylde, who have three wins from seven matches.

They then face Newbury and Nottingham, who each have four wins, back-to-back after a tricky trip to local rivals Wharfedale on November 18.

Coach Ralph Zoing has his sights firmly set on eight points from the four games and sees no reason why his target should not be achieved.

He will be looking for an improvement on Saturday's showing against bottom club West Hartlepool when, in spite of the 60-0 scoreline, Harrogate were not at their best.

"There were a lot of basic errors and the coaching staff and players have identified them as things we need to work on. But at the end of the day we still stuck 60 points on them. We have to be positive but mindful that there is room for improvement," he said.

There are high hopes that flanker Steve Hobson will be fit to resume after missing two games with an eye injury. But knowing he needs experienced cover in the back row, Zoing has moved to sign John Dudley on long-term loan from Rotherham.

Dudley, 34 and 6ft 4in tall, has been with the Clifton Lane side all his career and has progressed with them through the leagues to their current top-flight status. He will be on the bench against Fylde unless Hobson loses his fitness battle.

Either way Peter Taylor is expected to move back into the second row where he will partner RAF colleague Paul Clarke. Meanwhile, Owen Drane will again deputise at scrum-half for British Police rugby league tourist Rhys Morgan.