We’ve still got lots to play for

Mar 28 2008 by David Lockwood, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

WITH just three games remaining – starting with tomorrow’s trip to Scarborough (3.00) – the season’s end cannot come soon enough for YMCA and their supporters.

Although second bottom in Yorkshire I with just eight points to their name, YMCA could still (mathematically) escape the drop, though it hardly seems likely.

Assistant coach Jamie Marsden, who takes charge this weekend in the absence of Mark Eastwood, admits: “It will be very difficult now to avoid relegation, but the challenge is still there, and there is still plenty to play for with a view to next season.”

Although not out of the question, it would be seen as a major shock should YM pull off victory at Scalby Road, as Scarborough go into the match in fourth place and with the second best defence in the league.

YMCA (players to meet clubhouse, 11.15): Watson (J), Saville, Farringdon, Hellewell (K), Whitehead (S), Nyahoda, Hodge, Walker, Marshall, Swift, Ryder, Stead, Greenwood, Belton, Wilson. Subs: Dyke (Steve), Bracken, Orr.

Seconds (v Old Crossleyans, home, 3.00 meet 2.00): From - Watson (A), Dalton, Gregson, Whitehead (A), Hellewell (D), Parker, Terry, Boothroyd, Heptinstall, Spencer, Mosley, Scanlon, Wood, Taylor, Smith, Bedford.

Third XV (v Halifax Vandals, away, 3.00 meet 1.45): From - Murphy, Nasey, Stafford, Garrety, Young, Hirst, Morton, Senior, Butterfield, Sykes, Lee, Noble (K), Noble (R), Woods, Knapton, Hall, Bakes, Earnshaw.

Veterans (v Wortley, home, 3.00 meet 2.15): Jones, Bell, Oldham, Sanderson, Stephens, Barrett, Ribbons, Elsworth, Morgan, Beaumont, Drayton, Kersey-Brown, Bates, Rimmer, Smith.

YMCA Under 19 Colts have a massive game on Sunday, when they visit Otley in a vital top-of-the-table clash which could go a long way to deciding the outcome of the title.

Otley are top, just one point ahead of YM, and the team are hoping for as much support as possible on Sunday (12.00).

Colts (v Otley, away, meet 9.30): From - Dyke, Bell, Dyke, Stafford, Dickens, Orton-Blue, Orton-Blue, Hodge, Housley, Sellers, Lumb, Marshall, Senior, Ryder, Wrafter, Hopkins, Stead, Walsh, Emsley, Carrington, Butterfield.