ABSENCES dominate Selby Rugby Union Club's selection for their re-arranged Yorkshire Cup second round tie at Redcar on Saturday.

Four of the side that narrowly lost at Pontefract a week ago - Martin Protheroe, Andy Gabel, Chris McDonald, Wright Phillips - are all unavailable, while Jason Cicero is still missing due to business commitments.

Academy player Dan Porter fills in the full-back slot in the tie, which was postponed from its original midweek date because of a water-logged pitch.

Phil Raffan reverts to a wing patrol, while Paul Scott is recalled on the other wing with Toby Pemberton taking the vacant stand-off slot.

Mark Toye returns in the second row with Tony Godfrey taking over at number 8. Mark Tomlinson, Tom Bayston and Dave Christison are joined by Ed Sweeting and academy players Todd Wain and Chris Rawlins on the bench.

Malton and Norton, who accounted for York RI in the Yorkshire Shield second round, tomorrow tackle their semi-final away to Keighley with the visitors confident of reaching the final.

Back on the league front, Harrogate entertain Moseley in their final National Two fixture of the season, kick-off 3pm at Claro Road.

The hosts are in a run of good form after beating Wharfedale in the league and then toppling Leeds Tykes in the Yorkshire Cup in midweek to set up a quarter-final at Otley next Tuesday.

But the bid to finish the league campaign on a high note has been hit by injuries to key players.

Back-row forward Mike Worden is out of tomorrow's game with a back problem and other absentees are second-rower Andy Boyle (hamstring) and winger Graham Sergeant (dislocated shoulder).

That will likely give another chance to several of the second XV, who have surged towards a potential title triumph in the Northern Second Team Championship.

Pocklington first XV's competitive season finished with their winning the league last weekend - though they still have their annual President's XV game to come on Sunday, May 2 - but there is still a notable game at Percy Road tomorrow.

Pocklington Merovingians play Bristol tourists Imperial RFC at 3pm, in a match which marks the farewell appearance of Andy Bowden.

Bowden is retiring after a distinguished 30-year career of club rugby with Hullensians, Chesterfield and Pocklington. His 15 years at Pocklington include a stint as first XV captain, and in recent years he has run the show from fly-half in a highly successful Merovingians side.

On Sunday, Pocklington Under-16s also entertain touring opposition from Banbury (11am), while the minis are in action at home to Goole.

Updated: 08:37 Friday, April 23, 2004