CLIFTON Park will be the venue for what could be York's most important match of the season when the Yorkshire One table-toppers entertain second-placed Bridlington.

Unbeaten leaders York have not faced Bridlington in the league for a number of years, but with the east coast outfit suffering relegation from North Two East last year, the two rivals will renew hostilities tomorrow.

And a classic encounter is on the cards, with Brid' having started the season very strongly and dropped only two points in a surprise defeat 20-18 away to Huddersfield YMCA.

York make three changes to the team that beat Old Crossleyans last Saturday. The only change in the backs is the return of flying wingman Rob Kama in place of Nick Kay.

In the forwards, Law College student Tom Crittenden, who has proved a great asset to the club since joining this year, replaces Dave Dorking in the front row and Stu Davies starts in the back row in place of former skipper Jeremy Clutton.

Selby will be out to further dent the promotion hopes of Dinnington when they welcome last season's Yorkshire Two runners-up to Sandhill Lane.

Having been joint top after the opening exchanges, Dinnington, led by former Harrogate and Rotherham prop Mark Pinder, have now failed to win their last three matches - with their wretched run of form coming on the back of their defeat by York.

Conversely Selby are just beginning to find their feet after their traditional slow start - with back to back wins in the league. Ray Adamson should continue at fly-half, while Tony Godfrey could come into contention for a starting place.

Former Ripon centre Neil Ambler is set to miss the return to his former club when Pocklington travel to Mallorie Park in Yorkshire Two.

Ambler has a knee injury which rules him out of a chance to take on his former team-mates.

Pock, who picked up their first league win of the season of Beverley last Saturday, are also without New Zealand-bound flanker Justin Gibbs.

Andy Green, who filled in on the wing against Beverley, will revert to his favoured position in the back row, while skipper Darren Smith should be clear to continue at prop after putting the injury-hit past few months behind him.

The match is a must-win for Pocklington, who are using the match as their vice-presidents' away day, as they just two points behind Ripon in the battle to climb out the relegation places.

Malton and Norton have a couple of injury worries ahead of the visit to Leodiensiens.

Wing three-quarter Neil Gilbertson is suffering from a hamstring injury and will be a non-starter. Also definitely out is prop forward Carl Rushworth, who is attending a wedding, and work commitments rule out a return for prop Tom Eddy.

However, it is hoped that centre Tim Chapman will be available to take his place in the side. A final decision on the composition of the side will not be taken until the last moment to give the walking wounded time to recover. Fortunately, the strength of the squad is such that, whoever takes the field, the side will not be seriously weakened.

Having earned the respect of title-chasing Hemsworth in their 39-3 defeat last week, York RI will look to thwart the efforts of another Yorkshire Three hopefuls in Leeds Corinthians.

The Railwaymen had put in a brave effort last Saturday with Hemsworth only moving clear in the last 15 minutes, but the New Lane club will be strengthened for the visit of fourth-placed Corinthians.

Tim Nash and Paul Betts are both available again and come into the first team squad.

Harrogate will hope the long trip north takes its toll on Launceston for tomorrow's National Two clash at Claro Road.

The Cornwall club, like county colleagues Penzance and Newlyn, have enjoyed a rapid rise up the league rankings in recent years, but they seem to have found their level now they have entered the full national leagues.

And with Launceston struggling on their travels, Harrogate will fancy their chances of keeping the pressure on the leading lights.

Updated: 12:43 Friday, November 01, 2002