Malton & Norton RUFC set for Morley trip (From York Press)

Malton & Norton RUFC set for Morley trip

11:01am Friday 18th January 2013 in Rugby Union By Steve Carroll, Sports reporter

MALTON & NORTON RUFC are in excellent spirits ahead of their visit to Morley in North One East tomorrow.

The game is likely to be in doubt because of the winter weather but, if the West Yorkshire team’s pitch manages to escape the worst of the frost and snow, Malt will be fired up to clinch a win on their travels.

The Gannock-based club pushed leaders Beverley all the way last week, losing 20-13 after having to play for part of the match with 14 men after centre Ryan Lonsdale received a red card.

Their spirited display has given much cause for optimism that Morley, who beat Pocklington 25-20 in a game the home side felt they should have won, can be tamed.

Laidler said: “We should have won it last week and we missed chances early on. We had a couple of penalties that were eminently kickable. We had one or two other chances in the game.

“Overall, we were probably the better side and that is very encouraging. There’s a lot of confidence in the squad and, from what I’ve heard, Morley didn’t play too well against Pocklington.

“Last week gives us a bit of confidence and nearly everyone is fit and available.”

Richard Webster, with a back injury, is Malton’s only injury doubt.

Pocklington, meanwhile, are scheduled to make their first visit to Cleckheaton in a decade in North One East.

When the two sides met at Percy Road at the end of September they produced a thrilling encounter that saw Pocklington come from 14 points down in the last quarter to snatch a 24-23 victory.

The East Yorkshire club have a number of doubts and have selected a 22-man squad which will be trimmed after training.

A brace of tries from Marc Benson helped York on their way to victory at North Ribblesdale last time out but the winger is likely to start among the replacements when the Clifton Parkers entertain Huddersfield YMCA.

York’s long unbeaten run, which has seen them firmly established in the top half of the table, will be firmly tested against a Huddersfield side that are just a point adrift of the leaders Driffield and have won 12 of their 16 games so far this term.

It’s tight at the top for Selby, who host Moortown at Sandhill Lane in Yorkshire Two. Two points behind leaders Doncaster Phoenix, and just three ahead of third-placed Yarnbury, every victory is vital if coach Richard Nicholson and his men are to achieve their aim of winning promotion back to Yorkshire One.

Moortown, third bottom, look to provide a straightforward test for Selby, but the Swans will be giving the game their full attention should it go ahead.

York RI, meanwhile, tussle with Hessle at New Lane in Yorkshire Three.