THE waiting is over as Selby and York go head to head in the race to finish as the top local team.

For 13 years, York have proudly hung on to the tag as the area's premier club, but now this record is under threat with Selby set to end this run.

In fact, it was Selby who were the last club to finish above the Clifton Park side, when they edged above them on points difference in North East Two, back in 1987/8.

Selby currently enjoy a one-point advantage but, having played one game more than their rivals, a win is a must.

Having already inflicted a defeat on York this season, and with home advantage this time around, the Sandhill Lane side are confident of completing the double.

"I'd like to think we can beat them, but they have come good of late," said director of rugby Sam Longthorpe.

"It's a big game for us, but our aim is to win all our remaining games, including this one. It will be down to the players on the day."

Carl Paterson is set to start at his favoured position of fly-half, with Ray Adamson coming in at full-back. Rob Taylor will start in the second row.

York are not willing to let Selby have things their own way - and they are desperate to make amends for their early season defeat.

Team manager Allan Robert-shaw said: "We want to stay ahead of every club and remain as the premier club in the area.

"We feel we under-performed against them last time, so hopefully we can give them a good game this time."

For the trip, York make two changes to the team that lost narrowly last week in their 70-point encounter with Old Brodleians.

Club skipper Jeremy Clutton replaces player-coach Matthew Emmerson in the back row and his predecessor Nigel Durham takes the place of James Arkle at scrum-half.

Emmerson has a knee ligament injury sustained towards the end of last Saturday's game and Arkle will be in Cairo as part of his University course.

On the replacements bench alongside Sam Arkle and Rob Allen will be club coach Andy Gair, a former Newcastle Gosforth player.

Both sides will observe a minute's silence before kick-off in memory of former Yorkshire RFU president, and York stalwart, Tony Williams, who died last Saturday.

York RI's season could hang on their trip to Castleford tomorrow.

Both sides, along with West Leeds, are grouped on nine points, just ahead of bottom club Hemsworth.

With just six games left, a victory and a two-point buffer over their fellow strugglers will give them the perfect boost for the final leg of the season.

However, a defeat will leave the New Lane club with a near mountain to climb.

Maximum points are the order of the day for Malton and Norton when they entertain Wath.

Defeat against leaders Heath have meant Malton are effectively now chasing the second promotion spot.

In the away fixture earlier in the season, Malton ran out convincing 48-10 winners, with Ian Cooke grabbing a 23-point personal total.

If The Gannock conditions are anything like suitable, Malton would be looking to at least match that result.

Selection for the must-win clash has been delayed to allow extra time for a couple of minor injuries to clear.

Of these, centre David Webster is the most worrying with a calf muscle strain.

Having already played their scheduled trip to Scarborough, Pocklington find themselves with a free week.

Orrell may no longer have rugby league legend Gary Connolly in their ranks, but they will still give Harrogate coach Ralph Zoing plenty to think about ahead of their trip across the Pennines.

With Wigan Warriors' RL recruits Wes Davies - grandson of the legendary Billy Boston - and kicking sensational Phil Jones to the fore, Orrell are closing in on a quick return to National One.

But Harrogate, never ones to shy away from a confrontation, will fancy their chances of putting one over the Lancastrian money-bags, especially having seen them struggle to overcome bottom club Waterloo.

Zoing will once again toy with his back-row, with Richard Wade returning at No 8, Oliver Cook switching to the blind-side flank and Rijan Slater dropping to the bench.

There is one change among the replacements with hooker Andy Nunns replacing Mark Erven.

Updated: 11:56 Friday, March 01, 2002