MALTON & Norton are heading into a key stage of their Yorkshire One campaign in fine fettle, according to spokesman Bill Laidler.

The Ryedale outfit face two derbies in 15 days - at Scarborough tomorrow (2.15pm) and at York in a potential Christmas cracker either side of a clash with leaders Bradford & Bingley - but they go into it all on the back of one of the best victories of recent times, a 10-3 Yorkshire Shield success at Heath.

Malton will also now have a full-strength squad to pick from after a spate of injuries, with first-choice props Ben Bootham and Rob Featherstone and wingers Ian Cooke and Ben Woodhouse back in the ranks for tomorrow's trip to the seaside, the latest front-line players to return.

Said Laidler: "We're back to full strength. We've managed to get through pretty well when we've had a few injuries. We're back to it now and there's no excuses.

"The fact it's a derby puts a bit more spice into it. You can't pre-judge these games. Scarborough will be out to win.

"It is an important period for us. Bradford will be tough and, while York are not doing too well at the moment, they won at our place at the beginning of the season, which is something we'll want to put right."

That result was one of only two league defeats suffered by Malt, a record that has them second in the table, five points behind B&B.

York, meanwhile, are down in tenth but they enjoyed a fine win over Hullensians last week. They host Old Brodleians tomorrow (2.15pm).

Selby came out triumphant in their bottom-of-the-table battle with West Park Leeds last week but will surely find third-placed Bridlington a tougher task tomorrow, especially on the road.

Meanwhile, after a week off from competitive action, Pocklington entertain Dinnington, who sit three points and two places above ninth-placed Pock in North One East.

The two clubs have a track record of close encounters, including in their last meeting at Percy Road in February, when it took a Pete Massie try with the final play of the game to snatch a 12-10 Pock victory.

In Yorkshire Four, fifth-placed York RI host third-placed Wensleydale, the visitors higher in the table only thanks to bonus points.

* A GOOD performance could not prevent Rowntree RUFC overcome York 3rds in their latest match - though it was a far cry from their heavy defeat last season.

Matt Halifax and Oscar Bell crossed for York before Trees began to play some good rugby, Jack Daniels going over in the corner.

However, York's defence held firm under pressure and from a break they scored again through Mark Joplin to lead 15-5.

Trees had plenty of attacking ideas in the second half but again York's defence stood strong and they countered to score again through Robert Taylor, Dan Russell converting.

An interception with Trees pressing then saw York scrum-half Dan Hardy go the full length to seal a 27-5 win, a scoreline which was harsh on Trees.

The previous week, Rowntree gave fringe players a run-out at Selby 5ths and won 74-5.

After the home forwards dominated the early play, Trees broke and had too much pace out wide. Wing Alex Morrell strolled over, soon followed by captain Dave Harder on the other wing. Number eight Callum Houston then crossed and Dave Harder converted.

Morrell went through again and Stu Dickinson also scored, both tries converted by Carter, who added a touchdown himself for a 36-0 interval lead.

Further tries were scored by Morrell and Harder, and flanker John Neal (2), before Selby crossed through fly-half Adam Brown.

Dickinson and Jack Daniels continued to pile on the misery, before the referee called a halt to proceedings.