YORK RUFC coach Lee Denham insists that his team can be as good as any other in the league ahead of the Yorkshire One opener at home to Heath tomorrow.

Although York finished seventh last season, they won 10 out of the final 13 games to generate hope of a promotion push this time around.

“I am confident we can do well this season as long as I am able to put out my best players week-in, week out,” said Denham. “I don’t necessarily mean the best players in the position but the best players for each game.

“We have been working very hard but expect a very tough game against Heath,” he added. “According to reports, they are a big, strong side who are very difficult to break down so we will need to use our pace.”

Teenager Will Atkins is set to make his first team debut at outside centre along with new signing Luke Stockton from Wharfedale who will play in the second row.

Chris Peace will miss the first month of the season following knee surgery and captain Chris Fox is unavailable due to work commitments.

Ben Rees will again be at the helm when Pocklington RUFC kick off their North One East campaign at home to Malton & Norton.

Woldgate schoolteacher Rees is Pocklington’s captain for the third successive season and, in a change of strategy, will have support from three vice-captains namely front row Dave Birch, lock Tom Peters, and centre James Flint.

Director of rugby Richard Wilson said: “Ben was an obvious choice as skipper. He’s now one of our most experienced players and he works really hard for the side, on and off the field.

“We’ve also gone with three vice-captains. The game is changing and, just as they have found at the top level, you need a leadership group across the pitch. We have picked players who can make calls in different key areas.”

Pocklington’s scheduled Yorkshire Cup tie against Wheatley Hills last weekend was called off by the opposition – denying several players an opportunity to push their claims for a starting role.

“It was a real blow when Wheatley Hills called off,” said Wilson. “The guys had trained really hard in the week and were raring to go. It’s also made our selection for this Saturday quite difficult.

“We have got competition for places in a number of areas and, with five subs allowed in the Yorkshire Cup, it would have been an ideal chance for several players to state their case.”

Unable to find a replacement opponent, the Pocklington players were put through their paces during an 8am training session. They watched the New Zealand/Australia international in the clubhouse and, the following day, embarked on their annual ‘Tour de Pock’ cycle ride around nearby villages.

All of last season’s Pocklington squad are available this weekend in addition to half a dozen newcomers and a clutch of last year’s Colts.

The only absentee is three-quarter Josh Britton who was injured in a pre-season friendly at Scarborough.

Malton, who were promoted to North One East last season, opened their campaign last weekend with a 34-28 defeat in the Yorkshire Cup at Driffield – who now visit Pocklington in the second round on October 15. Malton spokesman Bill Laidler says the club are aiming to ‘consolidate’ this season after winning promotion

Head coach Chris Creber has a squad of nearly 30 players at his disposal with no new additions from last season.

Selby host Scarborough in their first league game under the guidance of former Wetherby coach Mike McHugh-Hicks.

York RI RUFC, who re-elected Fraser Land as club captain this summer, open their Yorkshire Four campaign away at Rotherham Phoenix.