THERE is no doubting what will be topping the Christmas wish-lists of Selby and Pocklington as they prepare to do battle tomorrow at Sandhill Lane.

The two sides currently occupy the bottom spots in Yorkshire One and are both in danger of the drop unless they can turn their fortunes around for the second half of the season.

And considering their current predicaments, the need for points will add the extra spice to this tasty derby encounter.

West Park Bramhope, North Ribblesdale, Beverley and even York remain in touching distance for the struggling duo - but defeat tomorrow will leave one of them with a mountain to climb to stave off the threat of the drop.

Pocklington have delayed finalising their line-up to assess the fitness of several key players.

Three-quarters Mark Taylor (knee) and Rob Nolan (neck) and hooker Matthew Moore (ankle) are included in the squad, but their participation will depend largely on how they respond to treatment on their respective injuries.

Player-coach John Ainslie is definitely ruled out with leg problems, but the Percy Road club will have the Allen brothers - Sam and Harry - in the squad.

Harry has just returned from university in London, while Sam is back in the country after a six-month round-the-world trip.

Pock' have also planned a change to their back row with utility player Rob Jackson - who has played wing, centre and scrum-half this season - named on the open-side flank.

Selby are set to stick to the same 15 who beat Hemsworth on Saturday.

After a less than impressive start to the campaign, the Sandhill Lane outfit now feel they are getting the players together - particularly in the backs - to turn their season around.

And chairman of rugby Sam Longthorp believes victory is what they need to get back on track.

"We need the victory," he said. "Pock will come to us thinking that it is their chance to win, but if we can play well I'm sure we can score a few points."

Following Saturday's morale-boosting win over North Two East high-fliers Cleckheaton, York head to Yorkshire One leaders Hull in buoyant mood.

Hull, under the stewardship of former Pocklington player/coach Gary Pearce, have lost only once this season as they look to climb up the league ladder.

Among their ranks include a number of players with rugby league experience including Brad Hepi, Leroy McKenzie, Ma'ea David and Pearce himself.

York have strengthened the pack that dominated Cleckheaton with Nick Hare and Dave Spanton coming back into the squad after being unavailable for the surprise victory.

In the backs, James Arkle returns to the scrum-half position allowing Sean Bass to move to his more usual position of centre.

Ampleforth school teacher Alistair Hurst, making his first league appearance of the season, is likely to partner Bass in the centre in the absence of Stuart Davies.

Fijian Rob Karma and Sam Arkle are both named in the squad but will be subject to late fitness tests.

York RI will have to bounce back from their Powergen RFU Junior Cup blues when they head to Keighley in Yorkshire Two.

The Railwaymen had high hopes of making it to Twickenham in the competition only for Skipton to cut short their run 12-3 at the weekend.

Now RI will look to show what they can do in the league - with a tough-looking Keighley side awaiting them. But in a boost to the visitors only Chris Hudson is unavailable.

After having an enforced rest from playing on Saturday, Malton and Norton should be at full strength for the Yorkshire Three visit of Barnsley.

Hooker Steve Hayhurst has recovered from an ankle injury and Jon Newsome's nose has now healed after being broken three weeks ago.

New Zealander James McKay will make his home debut in the back row where Richard Webster also returns after injury.

Harrogate will stick with the side which trounced Preston Grasshoppers for what will be a far more testing encounter at Orrell.

In a 'third against fourth' clash in National Two, Harrogate are bidding for a fifth win in succession but they know it will be tough.

Free-spending Orrell have just added Wigan Warriors RL duo Gary Connelly and Wes Davies to their squad and brought prop Jason Cundick back from Rotherham.

The no-change decision means another start for prop Rob Wilson after namesake Scott pulled out of the 53-3 trouncing of Preston because of work commitments.

And Rijan Slater continues on the blindside flank for Mike Worden who has still not fully recovered from a head knock at Stourbridge.

Team: Smithies, Clayton, Barker, Duncombe, Marr, Cholewa, Morgan, Melton, Salkeld, Rob Wilson, Dudley, Taylor, Slater, Hobson, Wade. Replacements: Farrar, Scott Wilson, Erven, Horner.

Updated: 12:10 Friday, December 21, 2001