UNDER par Pocklington RUFC face a mighty test this weekend as their long-awaited cup clash with Keighley gets the go-ahead.

Reeling from two consecutive defeats against Bradford Salem and Ripon Pock welcome a Keighley side flying high in Yorkshire One.

This game was originally scheduled for November, but was delayed because of league commitments and Pocklington's run in the National Vase.

Last week's 17-0 defeat against Ripon was disappointing and Pock will now have to measure themselves against a West Yorkshire side in a division higher and who lie in fourth place in their table.

For Pock, half-backs Kevin Bowling and James Dicks are unavailable, but club secretary and utility back Rob Jackson is recalled, while ex-Newcastle three-quarter Sandy Mitchell is available after missing last week's game.

In the pack, regular prop John-Paul Kelly is at a family wedding, but hooker Dave Birch and flanker Scott Littlefair return, and former Leeds Tykes academy back row Rob Shingler comes into the squad.

With most of the region's other rugby union teams enjoying a rare weekend off, the players of yesterday will take centre stage in a veterans' tournament at Clifton Park on Sunday (see above)..

Meanwhile, York will travel to Scarborough for a club match. York RI will give the seconds a run-out in a mixed match with West Park Bramhope.

Selby also gove fringe players a game in their friendly against Market Rasen at Sandhill Lane.

Among those getting a game will be Under-17s scrum-half Simon Tomlinson, son of veteran prop Mark. Toby Pemberton skippers the side at stand-off. Mark Rollinson returns at flanker.

Updated: 10:30 Friday, March 18, 2005