SELBY RUFC head coach Richard Nicholson has called for consistency from his stuttering outfit as they prepare to host Malton & Norton RUFC in a fierce Yorkshire One derby battle tomorrow.

The Sandhill Laners have been up and down all season - taking unbeaten Doncaster Phoenix to the wire two weeks ago before then succumbing in poor fashion 17-6 to Hullensians last time out.

It is a contrast that has irritated Nicholson, who has challenged his players to put together some stable displays as the campaign comes to a conclusion.

“It was a poor performance and everyone was disappointed,” he said. “We know we have to put things right or we are going to have a tough afternoon. We are focusing on ourselves and improving our performance.

“The frustrating thing is that we were so motivated to play against Phoenix. We have to make sure we do that every week. It doesn’t matter who we are playing. It was a game last week we should have won but there were no excuses.

Hullensians deserved to win.

“It has been hampering us all season. We have had some good performances away. We have beaten Yarnbury, North Ribblesdale and Bridlington. We had two really good games against Doncaster. We have proved we are capable.

“Consistency is the key.”

Nicholson is unable to call on Dan Porter, who has broken a bone in his hand, but can otherwise pick from a full strength outfit.

Selby, though, will need to be wary of Malton’s “deep desire to succeed”.

The Gannock club recorded their 16th consecutive league win with a 29-21 victory over Scarborough last week, which was all the more impressive after they were temporarily reduced to 13 men in the second half when two players were sin-binned.

Spokesman Bill Laidler said of that performance: “We showed the character to succeed even when we were put to the test and we probably deserved the victory. Scarborough did test us to the full.

“There is a deep desire to succeed in this side and to come through a period of being reduced to 13 men and still increase the lead shows great character.

“Derbies bring out the best in everyone.

Sean Bass knows his York side will not be able to rest on their laurels at any stage against Bridlington in Yorkshire One.

He said: “I have a lot of respect for Brid. They are a side that never knows when they are down. They can be 25 to 30 points down and will come back at you. It is a great fixture and if there was one game I could play every week it would be against Bridlington.”

Brid shocked Yarnbury 22-0 last week and York, who won at Heath, have opened up a small gap in third place in the table as a result. It is an advantage head coach Bass does not want to see slip away.

He explained: “We have got some big games coming up. We have to play both of the top two away from home so we have got to try to win our home games and pick up some points on the road. Up front it is going to be a battle against Brid. They are going to be tough.”

Sam Arkle drops out for York with Sam Potrykus replacing him in the line-up.

Pocklington travel to local rivals Driffield in North One East.

When the sides met at Percy Road in October, Pocklington were convincing 31-17 victors. But Driffield have turned their season round with five wins in six games since Christmas and a much closer encounter is expected this time.

It was a similar story last season, with Pock winning easily at home 36-10 in the first half of the season, but Driffield turning the tables 23-20 in the February return.

Pocklington have a couple of players needing to check their fitness, but hope to be unchanged from the side that beat Northern.

York RI’s promotion hopes in Yorkshire Four were all but ended when they slipped to an 18-10 home defeat to Ossett last time out. The New Lane outfit will bid to get back on the winning trail but must defeat second-placed Halifax.