YORK CC captain Daniel Woods insists that Yorkshire Premier League North is not a ‘two-horse race’ this season.

Tomorrow, second placed York are away at champions Harrogate who currently sit four points clear at the top of the table.

The two teams finished first and second, respectively, last season with Yorkshire Academy offering the only serious challenge to their supremacy.

Now five games into the new season, there are nine points separating the top four teams with Scarborough also firmly in the mix.

Speaking ahead of the clash at St George’s Road, Woods said: “We are not the only title challengers this season. There are a lot of good sides around and there are no easy games.

“We are happy with the way we are playing and we are good side - but you don’t win anything on paper.

“We are looking forward to this,” he said. “Harrogate is always a tough game. They have a lot of talented players and we have a lot of respect for them. But we are going to go there and enjoy it.”

Woods has been pleased with York’s current level of performance but was disappointed to miss out on maximum points from last weekend’s rain-affected game against Woodhouse Grange.

York scored 128-3 in 32 overs and Grange were set a revised target of 181 from 28 overs. They closed on 154-9 which meant York got eight points but missed out on a further two.

“We did everything possible to get the game on,” he said. “And to get Woodhouse Grange to nine wickets down off 28 overs was a great effort.”

Woods took five wickets for just 24 runs during his seven overs and that impressive spell also included a hat-trick.

However, he was quick to thank coach Jim Love for his performance, saying: “Any individual success is down to Jim. He works tirelessly with all of the players.”

Woodhouse Grange host third-placed Scarborough after suffering back-to-back defeats in the last fortnight against Harrogate and York.

Fourth-placed Yorkshire Academy host next-to-bottom Hull.

Easingwold, who are still looking for their first points of the season, visit mid-table Driffield Town.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge play host to Clifton Alliance who are in decent form and keeping pressure on the top four. Stamford Bridge entertain Acomb.

Meanwhile, in the York and District Senior League premier division, Dunnington will be aiming to maintain their excellent start to the season away at lowly Whitkirk.

Although 16 points behind leaders Studley Royal, Dunnington are second in the table having won four in a row prior to last week’s abandonment against their rivals.

Studley Royal have a potentially tough home game against third placed Sessay. Heworth need a victory against Folkton and Flixton to boost their promotion credentials in division one. Dringhouses will move further away from the relegation zone if they win at struggling Hull. Bottom of the table Selby Londesbrough have lost four games out of five ahead of their home clash with Harrogate 2nds.