COACH Lee Denham is hoping his York RUFC side "put teams to the sword" if and when they get chance.

The Clifton Parkers bagged four tries in a bristling third quarter as they won 52-20 at Yarnbury last week and Denham says it would have been more had they been ruthless.

Tomorrow they host Yorkshire One basement side Acklam and, while Denham is far from complacent, he is targeting another maximum-point haul to keep them in the play-off hunt.

"At home against bottom of the league - we're targeting it as a game to win," he said.

"We're not saying we're going to put 100 points past them. We're still not fully up to speed, we're still not playing exactly how I want, but we're getting better.

"This is Yorkshire One, though, and we've all seen what can happen in Yorkshire One. Teams at the top can lose to those at the bottom."

Acklam's sole victory of term came against fellow strugglers North Ribblesdale and they have by far the worst points-difference, having shipped 307 points in seven games, including 43 to Selby last week and 68 to Scarborough the week before.

Denham said: "Last week we weren't brilliant but we weren't poor. But if we can score 50-plus without being at the top of our game, you've got to be fairly confident.

"I'm looking forward to my guys carrying that on. We scored four tries in 15 minutes. It was good to see.

"If a team are there to be punished, I want to see it. I don't like seeing teams lose heavily, but if we can score 100 points, I want us to do it. I want our boys to understand they can score these points.

"I want us to physically dominate teams - we've got the ability and size to do it. I don't think you can win Yorkshire One without a strong pack.

"I want us to carry on playing our shapes and patterns. If we can do that we'll put a team to the sword.

"Last week we scored four tries in 15 minutes. If we hadn't then started playing sevens for 15 minutes, it would have been a bigger score."

Bridlington are clear at the top after seven straight wins. York sit sixth, three points off the play-off berth.

On their promotion hopes, Denham said: "It's early days. Top spot has probably gone unless Bridlington have a serious issue mid-season.

"We're going to do our best. One of the things that has caused York an issue over the last few years is consistency in selection, but we seem a more settled outfit.

"There are some changes but I have a large section of core players that we put out week in week out."

Denham is to rest two such players tomorrow - front-rowers Russ Bowers and Darren Rutherford, who have so far played every minute of term.

Young hooker Jack Starkey, who shone off the bench against Yarnbury, starts, and James Hartley, a first-choice last season before injury, is back after starring for the second team.

Luke Stockton, previously out due to concussion, also returns after impressing for the seconds and in training.

Will Atkin, available from Newcastle University, is in contention for a wing berth.

Selby, whose win over Acklam was only their second of term, host Bradford Salem looking to kick on. Salem are one point behind.

In Yorkshire Four, York RI, who got back to winning ways, host Hessle in a mid-table battle.