MALTON & Norton and York have had contrasting pre-seasons in terms of player recruitment.

The twin towns are very much relying on the players who got them promotion from Yorkshire Division One via a play-off victory against Middlesbrough.

However, York, who are still in Yorkshire One, have been casting their net to strengthen their first-team squad.

York's coach Ian Thomson said: "We have an overseas player coming in who heard about us on the internet, and have recruited one or two from Devon and one or two from elsewhere down south via an agency.

"Hamish Dallaway is a hooker from the United States who responded to our call, but he is still a bit raw in terms of United Kingdom rugby.

"Meanwhile, we have attracted back-row forward George Spencer from Devon and winger Richard Murphy from Cambridge."

York, who are at West Park Leeds tomorrow in the first round of the Yorkshire Shield, have also had two pre-season matches and won them both, defeating visitors Malton & Norton 36-5 in a Friday night run-out as well as triumphing at Ripon.

"We have had a fabulous pre-season," admitted Thomson, "having as many as 45 players down to training, where we have done more contact-based work under new strength and conditioning coach Chris Pearce, and, unlike last season, we are pretty much at full-strength this weekend."

While York may be bucking the trend by being strong for a bank holiday weekend, Malton & Norton will be looking to the weather to a degree when they visit Driffield in a first-round Yorkshire Cup tie tomorrow (2.30pm).

Malton & Norton's secretary Bill Laidler explained: "We have some players who are farming and some players who are still cricketing, so we are dependent on the weather.

"Meanwhile, others are at Leeds Fest, but we will be using the same players, such as Simon Triffitt, who got us promotion last season, although one or two of the colts may be added."