Malton and Norton have had a taste of Twickenham and now the Gannock side are after more.

It is less than two years since Pat Stephenson's men graced the hallowed turf in the final of the Junior Vase, with a 36-20 victory over Hoylake sparking joyous scenes.

Now, after a year's sabbatical in the Intermediate Cup - a statutory requirement for the Vase winners - Malton are back and on the hunt to regain their trophy.

Victory tomorrow against North Lancs/Cheshire Four outfit Halton would catapult Malton into the last 16 and to within touching distance of the main prize.

There is only one slight injury doubt involving centre Tim Chapman, who is suffering from a calf strain. Otherwise the line-up is likely to be the same as that which started against Heath.

Should Chapman fail to recover, his probable replacement will be Andy Whalley, who made a late appearance from the bench last week after having been out for almost 18 months with a shoulder injury. He showed no rustiness in his 20 minutes on the field and strengthens the squad.

Richard Ellis and Tom Eddy, who came in for regular props Carl Rushworth and Tom Piercy, will keep their places with Piercy resuming on the bench. Rushworth is still suffering the effects of the broken nose he sustained against Pocklington.

Selby face a must-win game in Yorkshire One against Old Crossleyans at Sandhill Lane.

Jason Cicero's troops lie just one place and two points ahead of Old Cross in fifth, but a defeat would see them slip down the rankings.

Duncan Phillips and Mark Tomlinson could come in, with Selby's selectors having a near-full strength squad to pick from.

York have delayed naming their line-up for the visit of Old Brodleians.

The mouth-watering clash between the second and fourth-placed sides promises to be a real Christmas cracker, but York are letting nothing out of the bag just yet.

Gary Cassidy, Tom Copeland, Nick Hare, Simon Thornton and Nick Kay are set to make way for the return to the squad of Mark Roberts, Mike Ford, Brad MacDonald, Dave Dorking and Nathan Savage, but the starting 15 is unlikely to be revealed until tomorrow.

Player-coach Peter Curtis is still unavailable.

Student duo Henry Mitchell and Harry Allen have earned call-ups to the Pocklington back division for the visit of Yorkshire Two leaders Keighley.

Experienced full-back Mark Taylor heads a lengthy list of unavailable players, with prop Dave Birch the latest to be ruled out, however the Percy Roaders have a natural replacement in Mark Floyd.

York RI can kick-off their Christmas celebrations a week early after scheduled opponents Bradford Salem were forced to cry off because of their involvement in the Junior Vase.

Harrogate travel to one of their least favourite grounds tomorrow when they head to Thresfield for the National Two derby clash with Wharfedale.

No matter how well Harrogate are doing in the league, there always lies the threat of the form book being ripped up by the Dalesmen on their own patch.

Updated: 11:03 Friday, December 20, 2002