YORK RUFC will try to edge a step closer to Twickenham by beating Widnes in the fifth round of the EDF Senior Vase.

It’s the biggest game of the campaign for the Clifton Parkers and they will need a season’s best performance to knock out the South Lancs Cheshire League One side.

Widnes top their division and have won their last ten games. They have not suffered defeat since the start of October and have seen off Didsbury 49-12, North Ribblesdale 29-7 and Hoylake 18-9 in the competition so far.

But York have saved their best displays for this tournament and, in front of a bumper Clifton Park crowd, it is a strong XV which goes into battle tomorrow (2.15pm).

The second-row blend of Chris Fox and Matt Halifax, alongside talented youth in Ross Whyte and full-back Jack Browning, could be the key to ending Widnes’ run.

With Fijian flier Rob Kama also named in the line-up, chairman Niall Barry said there was “absolutely no reason” why York could not get a positive result.

“It is a big day for the club,” he said. “A good cup run is what everyone needs, it puts a spring in your step and we want to do well. We are going to need our big players to stand up and it is going to need another exceptional display from the back row.

“There is absolutely no reason why we can’t take Widnes. Home advantage will be a big help.”

Having not played since Boxing Day, Pocklington are looking forward to getting back to competitive action when they entertain Yarnbury in the first round of the Yorkshire Shield tomorrow (2pm).

Pock have already won a close encounter at Yarnbury this season, but this weekend they are without a number of senior players and bring in youngsters James Simpson at half-back and Dave Wright in the front row.

Malton & Norton host Sheffield in Yorkshire One and coach Pat McCarthy is hoping his improving side can pick up a valuable two points against the South Yorkshire outfit to ease relegation fears.

“We had a pretty poor first half of the season, in terms of results, and the management and the supporters have been really understanding. Now we are ready to rock and roll and we really want to get out onto the pitch.”

Elsewhere, York RI are at Bramley Phoenix in Yorkshire Four while Selby find themselves without a game tomorrow and will restart their Yorkshire One campaign at Skipton next week.