FIRE and intensity. That’s what York RUFC head coach Sean Bass wants his players to show for 80 minutes as they bid to knock Doncaster Phoenix off a lofty perch in the second round of the Yorkshire Shield tomorrow.

The Yorkshire One leaders, who have won all nine of their league games this season and have picked up six try bonus points, come to Clifton Park with Bass promising them a very bumpy ride.

“They have recruited and invested very well,” he said. “They have got some players in from higher leagues and they have got a good set up.

“They have an unbeaten record and we have just got to get into them.

“We have got to fire into them and carry on doing so for 80 minutes. They will have some good tests this season and I am hoping they have got one this weekend. We are at home, we haven’t been beaten at home, and I feel as though we are fairly strong.

“We have got to get into them and take them on.”

Bass will bring Eddie Bradshaw and Josh Britland back into the squad, while “lynchpin” Chris Fox also returns. “He is a really good lad around the team,” the York chief said of the latter.

“He is sorely missed and it is fantastic to have him back.”

Malton & Norton have been handed a bye in the Yorkshire Shield as Acklam were unable to raise a side for the tie at The Gannock.

Dispatching Selby 38-20 last time out at the Gannock kept Malton in second place in Yorkshire One, with just two defeats from their opening nine games.

Malton club spokesman Bill Laidler said: “The week’s rest will allow one or two niggling injuries to heal in time for the following week when we travel to Wath-on-Dearne.

He added: “For the fourth week in succession (against Selby) were were able to field an almost unchanged side.

“As a result there is an air of confidence within the side which was missing last season when injuries meant that several changes each week were necessary.”

Selby are at West Leeds in the Shield.

After their derby success against Driffield, Pocklington switch from league to cup action with a home tie in the Yorkshire Cup first round against Morley.

Pocklington select a mix of youth and experience to face Morley, bringing in a handful of Colts who have impressed with the Panthers in recent weeks, including wing Matt Springett, scorer of five tries for the second team last Saturday. The game is scheduled to kick off at 2pm to allow for the provision of extra time.

York RI were due to have travelled to Baildon in the Yorkshire Silver Cup but their opponents have called off the game because of an organised fundraiser. The match will now be rearranged.