Selby are eying the chance of ending York's 13-year stranglehold on the local game when the two sides meet next Saturday.

Not since the introduction of the league system in 1987/8, have York been classed as second best.

That year saw Selby, by virtue of a better points difference, finish above York in the then North East Two division.

A year later York gained the upper hand as they beat Selby to the title - although Selby did win the clash between the two teams - as both sides were promoted. Since then it is the Clifton Park boys who have proudly boasted that they have been top of the tree.

However, with both sides virtually guaranteed Yorkshire One safety - barring any bizarre restructuring of the league systems by the RFU - and with promotion way beyond them, the clash will see them play for the pride of finishing as the area's premier club.

Selby currently sit in pole position as the area's highest-ranked side - although Malton and Norton, riding high in Yorkshire Three and boasting a number of big scalps this season, could lay claim to being the most successful.

However, despite trailing by a point, York have two games in hand on the Sandhill Lane Club and are keen to maintain their run of finishing as the top local team.

"It would be nice to get a result against them," said Selby team boss Richard Besley. "I think over the years they've almost looked down on us as the area's premier club.

"There is no hostility between us off the field, we are just keen to finish above them."

Allan Robertshaw, team manager for York, added: "We're very much looking forward to it. We feel we under performed against them last time so hopefully we can give them a good game this time."

Selby do believe they have a not-so secret weapon in the shape of York old boy Mike Parsonage, who has drifted in from the wing in the last two meetings to score tries against his former team-mates.

POCKLINGTON were set to join a not-so elite band today.

The Percy Road club, languishing at the foot of the Yorkshire One table, needed to concede just one more point to become the third member of the 500 Club in the Northern and Yorkshire Divisions.

Only North One bottom club Wigton (-681) and Yorkshire Five strugglers Rotherham Clifton (-646) have conceded more points this season.

What makes Pock's feat all the more remarkable is the fact that they, unlike the other two clubs, have had no problem in scoring points.

In fact, Pock boast a better points for column than both West Park Bramhope and North Ribblesdale, although it is not quite impressive enough to balance the scale.

THE battle of promotion and relegation will go to the wire for every club this season due to confusing rules from the RFU.

With the introduction last season of the play-off system for leagues where two divisions filter into one, the final decisions on those celebrating success and those drowning their sorrows is unlikely to be known until May.

Under the current system there will be a play-off between the second-placed sides in Division Three North and South and North Two East and West to see who goes up.

But the knock-on effects mean the number of clubs relegated will vary depending on the play-off results.

Looking at the tables as they currently stand, Rosslyn Park, Waterloo and Preston Grasshoppers will be relegated from National Two. However, if Doncaster go up as champions, but second-placed Dudley lose their play-off against their Division Three South opponent, then three sides will have to be relegated from the division to accommodate Waterloo and Preston.

Like dominoes, this will continue to fall down the league making it possible for half-a-dozen sides to be relegated at one time.

Pocklington are under the biggest threat in Yorkshire One, while York and Selby know they are not entirely in the clear just yet.

The same is for York RI in Yorkshire Two as they would currently suffer relegation if three sides drop from Yorkshire One.

This means all four clubs face an anxious wait in the next few months.

SELBY'S young back star Martin Prothero is dreaming of a trip to either Cardiff Arms Park or the Millennium Stadium with the Welsh Exiles Under 20s squad.

The winger-cum-centre has had limited first team experience at Sandhill Lane this season, but his skills have been noticed by the Welsh Exiles.

And tomorrow will see him head to London Welsh for the semi-final of a County Championship-style competition against Whitland.

Victory would see the Exiles head to the Welsh capital for the final - with either the Arms Park or the Millennium Stadium pencilled in to host the event.

And Prothero can bank on some vocal support should he get there with the Welsh contingent at Selby already looking ahead to a mini-trip to their homeland to cheer him on.

SELBY'S player dinner is scheduled to take place on Wednesday March 6.

Tickets are still available, with anyone interested ask to contact Tony Townend at the club on (01757) 703608.

Updated: 11:07 Saturday, February 23, 2002