YORK RUFC have high hopes of winning through to the fourth round of the Powergen Intermediate Cup when they visit Driffield tomorrow.

The East Yorkshire side are in the process of rebuilding having been relegated to North Two East last year and the Clifton Parkers fancy their chances.

It is the third year in succession that York have travelled to Kelleythorpe in the competition and will be hoping to put on a better show than last year when they crashed 57-6 in the first round.

York, who are hoping to put last week's defeat at Consett behind them, make several changes to their line-up in a bid to get back to winning ways.

Stu Davies, who has been on the bench on recent weeks, will start the match in place of Andy Kay, who has been rested to the bench.

Kiwi John Sharpe comes in at hooker to allow James Odell to move to his more customary position at prop in place of Dave Dawkin, while Matt Halifax and Rob Sparrow make up the second row.

In the backs, Rob Kama replaces Rob Taylor, who is injured, and Steve Moss-Blundell comes in at full-back in place of Tom Copeland, who is unavailable.

For the first ever visit of North Two West side Caldy to Sandhill Lane, in the Intermediate Cup, Selby make three changes to the XV who started last week's 18-18 draw at Ilkley.

Centre Andy Gabel comes back into the side at centre in place of Simon Hall who is unavailable. The backs and half back positions otherwise remain unchanged.

Prop Paul Gabel is also unavailable, with his place being filled by veteran Ian Copperwheat. Jason Cicero returns to the side in the second row after injury and will be partnered by Mark Rollinson, who deputises for Mathew Mills, who is also unavailable.

Martin Allchurch (prop), Kevin Lowery (No 8, Jamie Pocklington (utility forward) and Martin Protheroe are the named substitutes with one other to be selected before tomorrow.

Caldy are fourth in their league, having lost twice this season and both those defeats were by a score or less.

It looks to be a tough ask for Selby to progress to the fourth round of the competition for the first time in their history.

Pocklington return to cup action when they entertain West Park Bramhope in the Powergen Junior Cup third round.

The two teams will get to know each other well in the next couple of months, as tomorrow's cup tie is the first of three encounters in the space of seven weeks - the Pocklington v West Park league games following on November 20 and December 12.

Teenage full-back Sam Butcher is unavailable, but Pock hope to have 6ft 6in lock and lineout specialist Mark Biggin back on duty after missing two weeks with ankle trouble.

They also bolster the squad with the inclusion of back Henry Mitchell and front row Andy Wilson, who are both home from college in Newcastle.

The RFU has moved the kick off time forward to 2pm to be able to accommodate extra time in the event of a draw.

Harrogate and York RI are without competitive games this weekend.

Updated: 11:07 Friday, November 05, 2004