POCKLINGTON will play host to Driffield tomorrow in an East Yorkshire derby clash which will have a massive bearing on the promotion race.

With both sides pushing league leaders Bridlington close in Yorkshire Division One, the top-of-the-table rivals know the winner will steal a march.

Pocklington are currently second, ahead of Driffield only on the number of wins gained, as both sides currently have 65 points to their name.

Having endured an enforced two-week lay-off because of the cold snap, the omens look bright that rugby will be back at Percy Road tomorrow (2.15pm).

The thaw and forecast for the rest of the week should ensure conditions are good for the game, which is set to draw Pocklington's biggest crowd of the season.

When they met at Driffield earlier in the season, the home side came out on top with a 23-7 victory, and although Pocklington have had a good run since, Driffield's recent changes in playing and coaching personnel look to have got them back to their best in their quest to bounce straight back up to North One East.

Pocklington still have doubts over a couple of players and will not finalise their line-up until just ahead of kick-off.

The Panthers have rearranged to play Malton but the venue is still being negotiated, whilst the Pilgrims are at home to their Driffield counterparts.

Meanwhile, Pocklington are mourning the death of former player and supporter, Mark Burton, who passed away last week.

Better known as a local cricketer, he captained Woodhouse Grange for several seasons and played a leading role in their National Village trophy win at Lords in 1995. He played stand-off at Pocklington in the 70s and 80s.

Pocklington (v Driffield) and Pocklington Panthers (against Malton), from: Birch, Webber, A Wilson, Greenwood, Kelly, C Morton, D Wright, Sellers, Peters, S Wright, Bean, Hyde, Wilkinson, Durkin, Killerby, Crabbe, P Drew, Stephenson, JL Holbrough, D Wilson, Atherton, Waudby, Rees, JP Holbrough, Rook, MI Davis, T Bennett, Nixon, Bishop, Clark, Chapman, M Scott, Beevers, Hardy, Hardy-Rollins, Pickard, MA Davis, Walton, N Bemmett.

Pocklington Pilgrims (v Driffield) from: Mooney, Mudd, Nicholson, Jessop, M Smith, Pringle, J Morton, Spenceley, Rhodes, Helme, Berry, S Britton, Bradshaw, Kemp, J Scott, A Richardson, S Richardson, A Wright.