by Peter Vine

Malton and Norton will be hoping for a cup filip to take into next weekend's Tetley's Bitter Vase semi-final when they entertain struggling Sheffield Oaks tomorrow.

Malton will have home advantage in their cup clash with Surrey Two club the Law Society, the winners of which take on Tewksbury or Hoylake in the final at Twickenham.

First they have to get back to basics against Sheffield Oaks in Yorkshire Three and try to close the gap on leaders Skipton.

A couple of players look set to be rested after picking up injuries in last week's Yorkshire Shield victory over Leeds Corinthians.

Ian Mansell is likely to sit out after hurting an ankle and Australian captain Chris Creber will be on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.

Creber's fellow Aussie, Nick Tyson, is unavailable.

The big plus for Malton is that their strong pack is at full strength and injury free, while Tim Chapman, who was on teaching duties last week at Terrington School, returns to the three-quarter line.

For those supporters who want to see a re-run of Malton's brilliant victory over Old Newtonians in the quarter-final of the Vase two weeks ago, a full-length video recording of the match will be shown in the Gannock clubhouse before the Sheffield game, starting at 1.30pm.

York RI, who are running almost neck and neck with Malton in Yorkshire Three, travel to Halifax Vandals without their prop Doc Reed, who is resting a neck injury.

Bob Ryan has been pencilled in as a replacement although RI were leaving a back row selection as late as possible as former Yorkshire and Harrogate back rower, Steve Fawcett, has torn a hamstring muscle.

Goole are at home to Redcar in North Two East with a full strength side although their former club captain, centre Steve Grimbley, looks like being out for the rest of the season with a torn muscle in his abdomen.

Scarborough's Kiwi, Marcus Edwards - a small fly half but as hard as nails - will be hoping to build on his total tally of 220 points that he has scored so far this season, although every member of the 'Boro squad has scored tries themselves this season.

Lower ranked Roundhegians have ground advantage tomorrow as 'Boro shake off the effects of last week's rest day, but there are no easy games at Yorkshire Two standard as 'Boro prepare for the big one against second placed Sheffield Tigers next Saturday in front of an eager Newby crowd.

Fourth placed in Yorkshire Five, Wetherby have eighth placed Old Modernians as visitors while Knaresborough, who are in the runners up spot in Yorkshire Six, are at Nestl Rowntree who have George Atkinson returning at scrum-half for Brian Cottom.

Matt Forman is named at centre as soldier Mick Lawrence has been posted to Canada. Steve Lott is in the back row for Tom Jackson.

York face a daunting task when they entertain unbeaten North Two East leaders Halifax at Clifton Park (kick-off 3pm).

The hosts make a number of changes to the team selected last week for the postponed game against Pontefract. James Arkle returns at scrum-half allowing Sean Bass to move to his more usual position of centre. Bass takes the place of Alistair Hurst ,who is unavailable.

In the forwards Simon Humphries returns at prop in place of Andy Smith who moves to the bench. Alongside Smith on the bench are Chris Dempsey and Scott Boothroyd.

Their last game was against Darlington two weeks ago when they were beaten 43-0 at home.

York 1st XV: Copeland, Heapleston, Davies, Bass, Liddell, Ventress, Arkle, Humphries, Allen, Harding, Thomas, Halifax, Clutton, Smart, Hawcutt. Replacements: Dempsey, Boothroyd, Smith. Meet 1.45.

Updated: 13:48 Friday, March 09, 2001