YORK RUFC will be confident of continuing their free-scoring form at Bradford Salem tomorrow - but head coach Lee Denham has warned they have to be on their mettle.

The Clifton Parkers have rattled up 154 points in three games since losing to runaway leaders Bridlington, culminating in last week's 68-8 thrashing of lowly Acklam. They not sit only three points off second place.

Salem, conversely, have stuttered but Denham reckons their record of only two wins from eight outings does not reflect their abilities.

"It gives me a lot of confidence at the moment," he said of his side's scoring form. "We're playing some good rugby. As long as I can keep fielding a consistent team - not necessarily the same team but a consistent form of term - I will be very happy.

"But this weekend will be hard - they are no mugs. They're in a rebuilding phase but they're a very good team - better than their league position suggests - and we have to be on our mettle."

Denham is likely to make only one change, with fit-again winger Hugh Nicholson replacing young Adam Penistone out wide, with the latter having a run in is preferred position of fly-half for the second team.

Selby go to Beverley for a mid-table clash, while, in Yorkshire Four, York RI have a tough test at Leeds Corinthians.

Malton & Norton will need to cut out little errors to prosper in North One East this season.

That was the opinion of club spokesman Bill Laidler ahead of the home match against Wheatley Hills.

Malt, who appeared to find their feet after promotion with three wins on the bounce, have since suffered two successive narrow defeats and slipped to 12th, and Laidler is hoping they will have learned harsh lessons and can bounce back against a side at the foot of the table.

"We worked hard throughout and there was no lack of effort," said Laidler of last week's entertaining encounter at Percy Park. "However, the little errors are letting us down and will have to be cut out if we are to proper."

A prime example was when a delicate chip over the defensive line was gobbled up by an opponent who was left with acres of space to run into and duly scored a try.

Added Laidler: "These are the sort of minor errors which we must eradicate at this level - they are punished more frequently than in Yorkshire One."

Pocklington's tough North One East programme continues as they host second-placed Alnwick.

Alnwick have lost just one game this season and Pock three, but the Northumbrians are only four points ahead in the table thanks to the East Yorkshire's sides try bonus points.

The two teams have had several close encounters in recent years and another is on the cards.

Pocklington, edged out 23-22 at Durham City last week, are without young back Jed Jackson, who has a minor foot problem, but include the experienced Pete Massie and Billy Hardy in their 20-man squad.

* YORK RUFC will be hosting a charity lunch before their next home Yorkshire One game against Beverley on November 12.

The lunch will raise funds for Blesma, the charity supporting limbless Armed Forces veterans.

Clubs spokesman Rob Long said: "Lee Denham (York coach) served in the Army and the Blesma cause is very close to his heart, hence the reason why he's organised the charity lunch."

The event will include a raffle, with the main prize being weekend for two at a spa hotel in the Midlands. There will also be a guest speaker from Blesma.

Tickets cost £20, which includes entry to the game. They are avaible from Denham by emailing lee@tribedenham.co.uk.

* POCKLINGTON RUFC senior vice-president Adrian Styche has a spare table for the club's sportsman's lunch, sponsored by Yorkshire's Finest Hampers, on Sunday, November 27, when the main speaker with be ex-Scotland and British Lions lock and current TV pundit Doddie Weir. For information, phone Styche on 07836 507975 or email adrian.styche@frontierag.co.uk. He is also seeking sporting items and memorabilia and/or promises for the event's charity auction.