Pocklington RUFC primed to blast Heath (From York Press)

Pocklington RUFC primed to blast Heath

11:27am Friday 27th January 2012 in Rugby Union

Pocklington RUFC, in second place in Yorkshire One, delayed finalising their line-up for the clash with Heath until after training last night.

They have strong competition for places with a handful of players back from injury, though a couple more need to test out minor knocks. The Percy Roaders have selected a squad of 37 players that will be divided into the 1st XV at home to Heath and the Panthers who entertain York.

Pocklington know they need to be up to the mark for the Heath clash as their opponents handed them their biggest defeat of the season at Halifax back in October. On that day it was closely contested in the first half but Heath ran away with it after the break to win 40-7.

York look to close the gap on the top four when they host bottom of the table Dinnington.

The Clifton Parkers secured a win at North Ribblesdale last weekend to lift them to fifth and head coach Sean Bass will be determined that his young side finish the campaign as high as possible.

Dinnington have picked up only three wins from 17 matches and are by far the lowest point scorers in the division, while York are seeking their tenth victory of the season.

Bass, whose major restriction this season has been having to repeatedly chop and change his starting XV because of injury and unavailability, is again unable to field a settled outfit.

Captain Jim Rossington is still missing, with Joe Maud moving across the back row from flanker to number eight. Adam Bowers fills the position on the blind side.

Will Norris moves into the front row as Ben Hepworth drops to the bench and Sam Potrykus comes in at 12 for last week’s skipper Pete Martin.

Moortown visit Selby in Yorkshire Two. The Sandhill Laners dominated Skipton 22-8 last weekend thanks to tries from Dan Porter, Ben Lunt (2) and flanker Duncan Hardy. With promising debuts off the bench for pack-men Jason Hirst and Robert Bourke, Selby will be hopeful of picking up another victory.

Elsewhere in the Yorkshire leagues, York RI return to action in Yorkshire Three at Baildon and Nestlé Rowntree entertain Garforth at Mille Crux in Yorkshire Five.