YORK RUFC are the latest side hoping to put the brakes on Bridlington’s charge towards the Yorkshire One title.

After 16 games of the season, Bridlington are now a massive 18 points clear at the top of the table.

They have suffered only one slip-up – when losing at home to Heath three games ago – and have scored 45 points or more in seven games.

Fourth placed York are locked in a battle with West Leeds and Old Brodleians for the play-off spot but coach Lee Denham insists his side has the ability to pull off a shock tomorrow.

“All my players are good enough to play first team rugby at any club in this league,” said Denham. “They just need to to be more focused.

“We are very capable of beating Bridlington this weekend – but it is down to how the guys turn up.”

Denham was disappointed last weekend when his side were beaten for the only the third time in 11 games at Hullensians.

“We didn’t play very well and, when we were eight points up, some of the players thought we had won the game and so we ended up getting beat,” he reflected.

Commenting on Bridlington’s position, he said: “No-one is going to catch them now – not unless they implode or every player revolts and leaves!”

York captain Chris Fox was due to attend a disciplinary tribunal last night after being suspended by the club since Boxing Day when sent off in a charity game against St Peters Old Boys.

Selby, who lost 62-3 at Bridlington last weekend, face another tough examination at home to second placed side West Leeds who have won five on the spin.

Pocklington, who are just one point behind leaders West Hartlepool in North One East travel north to play sixth placed Percy Park.

Pocklington enjoyed a convincing 33-3 victory when the two clubs met at the beginning of October.

But the north-easterners have improved since then, winning their last five games. In addition they have only been beaten once at home this season.

For Pocklington, young back Jed Jackson returns on the wing for Tim Nixon while big Guam prop Johnny Borja looks to have overcome his ankle problem and is picked on the bench after impressing in training this week.

Malton and Norton’s trip to Driffield in North One East will have major significance in the battle for survival.

Victory last week against Dinnington not only lifted M&N out of the drop zone but also enabled them to leap-frog Driffield in the table.

The two teams are still level on pointsbut Driffield have lost five of their last six games while M&N are seeking a third consecutive win.

Spokesman Bill Laidler admits that the fixture will have ‘extra spice’ due to the league positions.