MID-TABLE consolidation would be a fine effort in North One East this season, according to Malton & Norton spokesman Bill Laidler.

Four league and cup defeats have been followed by three straight wins lifting the side to seventh in the standings, in their first season since promotion from Yorkshire One.

After a week off due to their early exit from the Yorkshire Cup, they now welcome Bradford & Bingley to The Gannock tomorrow (3pm), looking to avenge defeats home and away in the lower tier last term.

"If we were to be seventh at the end of the season we'd be pretty happy," said Laidler. "We'd like to be higher obviously, but it wouldn't be a bad result.

"But you never know. Anybody can beat anybody at the moment. The way it looks, teams seem to be winning their home matches and not doing so well on the road, but we've had two wins on the trot away from home - against Guisborough and Dinnington.

"For the first couple of games we were well understrength. Now we're more up to full strength and we're running a lot better. We knew we'd start picking up one or two wins.

"We had three or four unavailable due to cricket commitments and the likes of Ben Boothman and one or two others due to farming commitments - Ben is a very important part of our front row.

"We knew getting them back would make us stronger.

"We've lost Ian Cooke to injury for the season and you can't really replace someone like that, but the people who have come in are doing a very good job."

Bradford & Bingley have enjoyed two excellent wins over top-four pair Alnwick and Pocklington but they've picked up only one draw in their other four league matches, leaving them below Malt in the table.

That lack of consistency is in stark contrast to last season when they stormed to promotion above Malton.

"They're a good side," said Laidler. "They ran away with Yorkshire One. We were second but a fair bit behind.

"They've had some injury problems but if they get them back they'll be a force."

Pocklington are expecting an entertaining afternoon as they welcome high-scoring Penrith.

The Cumbrians are making a first-ever visit to Percy Road. They were moved from the North West to North East division this season to balance out the leagues and currently sit second with five wins from six and more points (233) than anyone else, plus the fewest conceded (64).

But Pock are not far behind in fourth, with four wins from their six league games, scoring 27 touchdowns in the process. They will be without leading try-scorer Billy Hardy (hamstring) but included fit-again backs Jack Fletcher and Matt Procter in their 21-man squad.

The match (3pm) is preceded by the club's annual vice-presidents lunch (1pm). To book seats (£15 including match programme) phone club president Angus Mitchell on 01759 303013 or email angus_mitchell@hotmail.co.uk.

In Yorkshire One, seventh-placed York go to tenth-placed Yarnbury, while Selby will seek their first win since the opening day as they visit bottom club Acklam.

York RI go to Ossett in Yorkshire Four, both teams seeking a second win of term.