THE smart betting is on there being a close encounter of the fourth kind at Pontefract when Selby make their annual trip across to their old foes.

The previous three clashes between the two sides have seen little more than a penalty separate the scores, with a win apiece and a draw.

Overall the Sandhill Laners just edge the honours with seven victories to Ponte's six from the 14 League contests, and boast a better points difference of plus six.

However, Selby will be without their talisman Ray Adamson, with the former England tourist effortlessly slotting into the fly-half role following the departure of Carl Paterson just before the start of the season.

With Adamson out, Toby Pemberton has been handed the No10 jersey, while also in the backs, Geoff Stier returns to the wing. In the pack, Andy Pocklington is named in the front row.

York travel to mid-table Wheatley Hills for the first time in a league match hoping to consolidate their second spot in Yorkshire One.

They make only one change from the team that beat Old Crossleyans 36-10 last Saturday, with Dave Dorking coming in at prop in place of Tom Crittenden who moves to the bench.

With a relatively settled team that has played the last two weekends, York should have an edge over Wheatley Hills who have not played a league game since Christmas.

However, Hills have a solid home record and should not be underestimated - a month ago they defeated Old Crossleyans 40-0.

Pocklington entertain Halifax-based side Heath tomorrow missing No8 Matt Atkinson, who is unavailable.

But the hosts hope to have Andy Richardson in as a replacement, while flanker Andy Green is back on the scene after spending the festive holiday with his family in Spain.

Pocklington also hope to have skipper Darren Smith restored to the front row.

He has only started two games this season due to ankle, foot and neck injuries, but he came through an hour's action at Beverley last week and will be at hooker for amnesia victim Andy Wilson.

Consistency could be the key as the York RI revival welcomes Halifax Vandals to New Lane.

New coach Chris Leathley, who has helped inspire the Railwaymen since his arrival in November, has named the same squad that beat promotion hopefuls Hemsworth 25-12.

However, after stepping up a gear to topple the second-placed Yorkshire Three side, RI face an entirely different prospect for the visit of the Vandals.

The Halifax club lie way adrift at the bottom, having lost all 15 of their league matches this season and been deducted four points.

After the cold snap saw Harrogate without a fixture at the weekend, Ralph Zoing's men head south to Newbury desperate to get their National Two promotion challenge back on course.

Updated: 10:07 Friday, January 17, 2003