New recruit Alistair Hurst makes his York Rugby Union Club first team debut tomorrow in the North East Two basement battle against Bridlington at Clifton Park.

Both teams are finding life difficult this season, a long way from those heady days when both teams were competing in North One.

After an outstanding game in the York Second XV last Saturday, Hurst a teacher at Ampleforth College, gets his chance.

Before his move to North Yorkshire he played for Wimbledon and was in Rosslyn Park's development squad.

Tomorrow he will play alongside Stuart Davies, who, together with Nathan Harding, is the only ever-present this season.

The number of injuries this season has been the major factor in the team's poor results. Chris Dempsey is the latest addition to the list having severely dislocated a finger in last Saturday's disappointing 3-0 loss at West Park Bramhope.

His place will be taken by Matt Halifax, who returns having recovered from a back injury.

Harding returns to his usual position of prop with club stalwart Andy Smith moving to the bench. Andrew Latto re-turns at the expense of Tom Heppleston after missing last week's game through illness.

Harrogate will be looking for another big points haul when they travel to National League division two north bottom team West Hartlepool tomorrow.

Flanker Steve Hobson returns against his former club after serving a one game ban for three yellow cards.

Hobson's return allows Mike Worden to play in his normal position on the blindside.

With Peter Taylor again missing through RAF duties, John Dudley moves to lock to partner Paul Clarke.

The backs are unchanged, giving another chance for Ed Smithies and James Tapster to add to their try-scoring exploits. Between them they have scored 30 of Harrogate's 57 tries this season.

Craig Reed continues to deputise on the right wing for Paul Clayton, who is still sidelined with an ankle injury. Although there is no break he has aggravated an old injury and it is likely to be into February before he returns.

West Hartlepool have lost all 14 of the league matches they have played so far this season and were thrashed by Harrogate last month at Claro Road.

But Harrogate's head coach Ralph Zoing is taking nothing for granted about tomorrow's match.

"West Hartlepool have run a few teams close at home, including Rosslyn Park and I am surprised they are still without a win," he said.

"We don't want them to pick up their first points tomorrow and will go into the match with confidence but without complacency. We expect to win, but have to realise it will be no pushover."

Malton and Norton, who entertain Wellingborough OG in the last 16 of the Tetley Bitter Vase on January 27, return tomorrow to their quest for the Yorkshire Three title.

They are just one point behind leaders Skipton, who were knocked out of the Tetley Vase by Hoylake 16-8 last Saturday, leaving Malton the sole North East club left in the competition.

Malton are also still in the Yorkshire Shield competition in which they are down to travel to Wath on Dearne in a delayed first round tie on February 3.

Tomorrow they are at Moortown but will be without centres Arthur Wilson and Tim Chapman and unavailable lock forward Jim Fisher.

Dave Webster and Duncan Donaldson come in the three-quarter line and Brian Lund is added to the squad of 18.

Donaldson, who hails from Thornton-le-Dale, has played for Cambridge University's second string.

Pocklington travel to Settle to meet North Ribblesdale in Yorkshire One. In the backs Kevin Bowling and Sam Allen both move inside to fly half and centre respectively, while Tim Bradshaw joins the pack.

Ripon, bottom of Yorkshire One, expect another hard game when they entertain Wheatley Hills but welcome a trio of players back after injury centre - Jim Buckley (knee ligaments), No 8 Pete Simms (facial injury) and lock Paul Goldsmith (hamstring). Ben Taylor also returns to his place on the wing.

York RI, who have won seven and drawn one of their ten games played to date are still only three points away from the Yorkshire Three leaders with a game in hand.

RI are at Barnsley tomorrow with Andrew Morse returning on the bench for the unavailable Ian Andrews.

Selby entertain Huddersfield YMCA without their prolific goalkicker, Carl Paterson, who underwent knee surgery this week. He is expected to be out of action until early March.

Top Yorkshire Two club, Scarborough are at Hemsworth with Carl Holdsworth returning to the squad after recovering from an ankle injury. Holdsworth's centre partner Rob Bell will be absent for the next two weeks.

John Scarth retains his place and Bill Freeman will also be at centre.

Goole are at Darlington in North East Two carrying a back row problem as one is on holiday, one suspended and a third, who was lined up to play, out with a broken jaw.

Nestl Rowntree are on the trail of revenge for a 17-15 defeat by Thirsk last September but will be without their leading try scorer Ashley Walters who needed a cortisone injection to a long standing shoulder injury this week, so

Phil Sargison deputises.

An newcomer to the local rugby union scene, Portakabin, flex their muscles on Sunday for the first time, taking on a combined Nestl Rowntree Lions/Veterans team at Clifton Park at 2.15pm.

Updated: 12:35 Friday, January 12, 2001