YORK start a sequence of three games against teams in the bottom four of the Hunters ECB Yorkshire Premier League North table, as they target title glory.

The 14-time champions, who are currently sat four points behind leaders Yorkshire Academy and level with Stamford Bridge, host second-bottom Hull tomorrow.

They then travel to fourth-bottom Acomb, before entertaining a Clifton Alliance side, currently placed in between York’s next two opponents.

York will then close their campaign at home to mid-table Driffield but, even though the Academy and Stamford Bridge have more difficult run-ins on paper including a meeting with each other, the Clifton Park outfit’s captain Dan Woods will not be under-estimating any opponent, as the fight to beat the drop also intensifies.

He said: “Hull will be tough. They are scrapping against relegation and every point will matter to them.

“They have a lot of dangerous players and potential match-winners and it’s an exciting time of the season now - both at the top and the bottom of the league.

“I expect Acomb and Clifton Alliance to fight hard as well, because they want to stay in the league and there are no easy games at this time of the year.

“Driffield can also beat anybody on their day and we set ourselves a target not so long ago of needing to win every game and I don’t think that’s changed.”

York will welcome back top batsman Tom Friend against Hull, with the experienced Alex Collins also returning and young leg-spinner Johnny Eleanor promoted from the second team.

They will come in for unavailable trio Ollie Leedham, Chris Booth and Adam McAuley.

On the changes, Woods added: “Al Collins has played for the first team for about 15 years, whilst it will be good to give Jonny an opportunity to show what he can do.

“Tom hit a double hundred a couple of weeks ago and would always be in the first team as our opening batsman, but was unavailable last week and it will make a big difference having him back.”

On Sunday, meanwhile, Clifton Park will host Yorkshire Diamonds’ Women’s Super League clash against Westerm Storm.

The Women’s World Cup trophy, lifted by England last month following a nine-run win over India at Lord’s, will also be on display with gates opening at 1pm for a 2.30pm start.

Admission costs £5 for adults and £1 for under 16s.

Elsewhere, hosts Stamford Bridge will be hoping to end fourth-placed Sheriff Hutton Bridge’s outside championship aspirations tomorrow, while the Academy take on the afore-mentioned dangerous Driffield.

Clifton Alliance travel to seventh-placed neighbours Woodhouse Grange as they look for vital points to stave off the threat of relegation.

A trip to Harrogate, meanwhile, promises to be a challenging test for Acomb, as they also look to claw away from the lower reaches.

Bottom-of-the-table Easingwold, who have lost all 18 of their matches this term and picked up just two points, will hold out little hope as they head for the seaside to tackle Scarborough.

In the division below, Sessay could clinch promotion, depending on results elsewhere, as they visit Pickering with a 77-point advantage over nearest rivals Castleford, who have a tricky match to negotiate at fourth-placed Studley Royal.