YORK RUFC coach Lee Denham believes tomorrow’s opponents Hullensians will “be throwing the kitchen sink” at his side in an attempt to topple the Yorkshire One leaders.

Last week, the Clifton Park outfit edged past Old Rishworthians 16-15, having to overturn a 12-3 half-time deficit in the process, and although they were on the wrong end of most of the officials’ decisions, Denham says he cannot use that as an excuse.

The present weather conditions have meant pitches are heavier than preferable, so the team are not able to effect their preferred game. But Denham also suggested that York have become the team to beat at all costs – even if the concerted effort is detrimental to the opposing team in the long run.

He remarked: “To be fair, we weren’t great at Old Rishworthians, but we got into our stride really quickly. The ref killed us, but I can’t really put the blame on him.

“Everything the opposition can do, they’re throwing it at us, then a week later they lose. Six or seven times this season a team has run us close, and the week after they struggle because they’ve pushed themselves too hard.

“Our players are digging in week in, week out. We’re playing on soft ground at the moment, and we have an open game that we can’t play at the moment because of it.

“Hullensians will be throwing the kitchen sink at us. They’re a committed outfit, and we can’t just turn up and expect to win.”

Tomorrow’s visitors are currently 10th in the division and on a six-game losing run. In their most recent fixture, they were turned over 23-18 at home by basement side Wheatley Hills.

Second-bottom Selby face another promotion contender tomorrow when they travel to second-placed Beverley following their impressive 27-14 win over Heath.

The high-fliers just scraped past Keighley 12-10 last week to secure their sixth win in a row.

North premier strugglers Pocklington are on the road for the second consecutive game, tomorrow travelling to 10th-placed Ilkley.

The two teams have a history of close encounters. Most recently, Pock edged it 22-20 when the sides met in October, with Ilkley’s last-gasp penalty falling short.

Pocklington’s squad will have to be assessed as Andy Little, Sam Garvey and Will Norris all came off injured in the 36-8 loss at Rossendale. However, there are some absentees nearing return including full-back Christian Pollock and prop Euan Walker.

Ilkley have lost their last two games at home, including a 21-3 defeat to Sandal the weekend just gone.

Malton & Norton gained ground in North One East with last week’s 19-14 win over second-placed Morpeth and mid-table rivals Cleckheaton and Huddersfield YMCA both losing.

Tomorrow, Malt travel to sixth-placed Penrith whose 33-8 win at Huddersfield was their third on the trot.

York RI face a trip to bottom of the table Sheffield Oaks for the last game of the South East division of the Yorkshire Four season after last week’s 30-17 win over Hessle.

Should they win, they will leapfrog Hessle and Stanley Rodillians into fourth spot and into a play-off league with the top four from the North West division, from where the top two will be promoted to Yorkshire Three.