TIME is rapidly running out for York RUFC as they bid to secure the play-off spot in Yorkshire One.

With only three more games of the season to go, York, who visit struggling North Ribblesdale tomorrow, are five points adrift of second-placed West Leeds.

They desperately need their rivals to slip-up and will be hoping that fifth-placed Beverley can throw a spanner in the works when they host West Leeds tomorrow afternoon.

But West Leeds have lost only one game in their last 12 league fixtures – and that was against champions-elect Bridlington.

Coach Lee Denham said: “There are three games left and its important that we don’t mess up in case someone else does! The gap is not insurmountable and the players are still working extremely hard.”

Prop Darren Rutherford is set to drop into the second row tomorrow as Marc Benson is ruled out with a knee injury.

There is a recall to the starting line-up for Dan Coe while second rower Luke Stockton will be on the bench after a string of impressive displays for the second team.

A York victory would also be good news for Selby RUFC who are now locked in a desperate battle to get out of the relegation zone.

Selby will need to avoid any hangover from the disappointment of last weekend’s stoppage time defeat against North Ribblesdale.

Pocklington face a crunch clash in their quest for the North One East championship as they travel to second placed West Hartlepool.

Former Premiership ‘big time’ club Hartlepool, are seven points behind Pocklington but led the table for a large part of the season.

They will know that a home victory tomorrow can throw the title race wide open going into the final two games.

Pocklington will be looking to regain the level of performance that brought them battling wins in recent weeks away to the division’s other top sides Penrith and Alnwick.

Pocklington struggled for backs last week and will be without fullback Jack Fletcher, who suffered a broken leg last weekend, for the remainder of this campaign.

But Newcastle University utility back Dan Elliot is back home for Easter and slotted in well after getting a late call up at Dinnington last weekend.

In addition, winger Tim Nixon is available and James Flint is planning to cut short a skiing holiday and fly home early to play.

Malton & Norton, meanwhile, should be playing ‘without fear’ tomorrow when they host Alnwick in North One East.

Victory last weekend at Durham City lifted M&N eleven points clear of the relegation zone with only 15 more points up for grabs.

Spokesman Bill Laidler said: “Malton should be able to relax and play some of the rugby they are capable of (now) without the added pressure of real relegation fears.”

Alnwick, however, are fourth in the table and inflicted a 46-0 defeat on Huddersfield YMC last weekend.

York Railway Institute will be aiming to pile on the agony at Hornsea who are bottom of the Yorkshire Four table with only four points after suffering 17 defeats from 18 games this season.