A DERBY double can kick-start Malton & Norton RUFC’s push for security in North One East, according to spokesman Bill Laidler.

The Ryedale side beat Pocklington 27-21 at the Gannock in the second week of the season, one of their five wins from 13 games in the first half of the campaign.

As the teams head into tomorrow’s Percy Road rematch level on points with identical records, Laidler believes the earlier result will have no bearing on this clash.

“We beat them at home, but that was a long time ago – right at the beginning of the season,” he said.

“We are both comfortably above the relegation places and one or two results would probably be enough.

“I don’t see any danger for either ourselves or Pocklington provided we can get another couple of wins under our belts.”

Centre Ryan Lonsdale will be reassessed after his long-standing rib injury surprisingly kept him out last weekend.

Jamie Rounthwaite returns to bolster the second row and there is a chance winger Henry Newitt  will be thrown into the fray after a serious ankle injury.

Laidler said: “We have been lacking a bit of experience and those three would give us that.

“We had a lot of young lads in last Saturday. Quite a few of the starting 15 were under 21 and some were under 20.

“They are good talented lads, but we need experience as well.”

Pocklington, who were edged out 20-19 at home to Morpeth last weekend after the visitors kicked a late penalty, have named an unchanged starting line-up for the game.

There are also derbies for Pock’s Panthers and Pilgrims sides, with the Panthers travelling to the Gannock to face Malton while the Pilgrims host the same opposition at Percy Road.