YORK RUFC head coach Sean Bass believes his side are starting to mature as a team.

The Clifton Parkers have a difficult test in Halifax at Old Brodleians in Yorkshire One as they bid to build on their opening day victory against North Ribblesdale.

Bass has been developing his team for a number of seasons and, with the likes of centre John Dawes now having enjoyed several years of experience, he reckons his men could soon be ready to mount a title challenge.

The former Shipton Road stalwart as a player has brought in Josh Britland at fly-half and also has old heads in Alex Nixon and Billy Cakaunitabua to call on for what he believes will be a tough game in West Yorkshire.

But he said: "We know what to expect. They are strong and it is their first league game at home. They will be looking forward to us. We've made a couple of tactical changes and we have got a young back division.

"We have got pace and we don't want to play ten man rugby. We have got a little more strength in depth than we have had before and these boys have been at the club for three or four seasons now.

"Dawes is still only 22 and he has been playing Yorkshire One first team rugby since he was 18. The players are just beginning to mature and are starting to become a much better side. They are learning how to win and they are a lot closer this year as a team."

Pocklington break new ground when they travel to meet Horden in North One East.

A week after beating the current Yorkshire One champions Ilkley, the Percy Road outfit go to another promoted team in Durham and Northumberland champions Horden.

Although Pocklington have a long tradition of playing fixtures in the North East they have never previously met Horden.

They hope that Billy Hardy, who missed last week after sustaining a late dead leg in training, is fit to return on the wing - and they name a 19-man squad that also brings in three-quarter Jake Bishop and forward Dave Birch.

Malton & Norton felt they could have won their Yorkshire One opener at Doncaster Phoenix - narrowly going 15-11 in South Yorkshire - and so go into their first home game at The Gannock against Hullensians in good heart.

Club spokesman Bill Laidler said: "It's a game we would expect to win. We will have virtually the same side as last week and being at home will be a big advantage. Everyone was heartened by last week. We dominated Doncaster and not many sides will go there and win this season. We could have and maybe should have won."

Elsewhere, Selby will try to get over their narrow 32-30 loss to Scarborough by picking up a maximum point haul against Heath in Yorkshire One, while York RI entertain Sheffield Oaks at New Lane in Yorkshire Four.