Malton and Norton's dreams of a rugby union treble were shattered by a Sheffield Tigers comeback last night.

Starting their Yorkshire Shield semi-final with just four players - Jim Fisher, Tim Chapman, Carl Rushworth and Dave Knaggs - from their triumphant Twickenham Tetley's Vase winning side, Malton lost 30-20.

The game attracted a crowd of around 1,000 to The Gannock to hail their heroes as they paraded the Vase Trophy at half-time.

The fans must also have been dreaming of more glory at the interval as tries under the posts by Andy Mitchell and David Webster put them in control. Both were converted by fly-half Webster, who also kicked a couple of penalties, to give Malton a 20-8 half-time lead.

But the Tigers roared back to clinch a place in the final against Scarborough on Sunday, May 6.

Sheffield, who were very strong up front, brought on two powerful forwards whom Malton found impossible to contain. Keeping the ball tight in the pack, the visitors scored tries through Andy Beach, Andy Williamson, Andy Wragg and a penalty try with Richard Senior kicking the rest of their points.

Malton expect to return to something like full strength for their trip to Otliensians on Saturday where victory will take them a step closer to promotion from Yorkshire Three.

Selby will play Middlesbrough in the semi-final of the Yorkshire Cup at Sandhill Lane on Wednesday, May 2. It is the first time Selby have progressed to the last four of the competition after being quarter-finalists for the last two years.

Updated: 12:56 Thursday, April 26, 2001