MALTON & Norton RUFC face a third big game in three weeks tomorrow - and one in which they will be confident of revenge.

The Yorkshire One promotion hopefuls go to York looking to not only bounce back from their defeat to leaders Bradford & Bingley in a Gannock mudbath last week but also avenge defeat at home to the Clifton Parkers early in the season.

The game is their second derby in 15 days, with victory over Scarborough having preceded last weekend's top-of-the-table clash.

Said club spokesman Bill Laidler: "Our lads will be out to reverse the previous result against York when they beat us at our place.

"That was a shock result really. We didn't play particularly well - in fact we played badly - and we're hoping for a much better performance.

"It was a totally different side that day to the one we'll have out this time. It was early season with one or two players still missing, but we're pretty much at full strength now."

Malton, who stayed second despite last weekend's result, will have the same side out that lost to B&B.

Added Laidler: "That was a difficult game - apart from the bad conditions, Bradford & Bingley are a very good side.

"We're confident we can bounce back. York are rebuilding and restructuring and are having a difficult time of it. Their win over us was probably their high point so far this season and we don't want to give them another one."

Laidler, meanwhile, has not given up on first place in the table, though he does concede B&B, with 12 wins from 13 compared to M&N's ten from 13, are huge favourites to take the sole automatic promotion spot, leaving Malt fighting for the runner-up spot and, like last year, another play-off.

"I wouldn't say they're nailed on for top spot but it is looking likely being nine points clear at the halfway stage of the season," he said.

"It means we have to win all our remaining games and for them to lose twice. There are one or two teams in the league that could beat them. Hullensians did it.

"The weather last Saturday made our game a lottery as to who would win. I think as the game went on, we were lucky to get it finished. We would have preferred drier conditions certainly as it would have suited us better."

York head coach Lee Denham wants his side to put together a full 80 minute performance - but is still blighted by team selection issues.

"There are a lot of changes," he said. "Our first choice scrum-half (Ben Johnson) is banned for a red card so we are playing a more flexible team. We will be playing three flankers rather than a specific number eight.

"We have still got a few options in the backs but we are not overly sure what we are going to do with our centre pairing. That will all come to fruition. Deep down, we know we can win these games.

"It is a matter of getting the tempo and shape and keeping it going for the whole 80 minutes. There have only been three or four games where we have played well for the whole 80 minutes.

"That's our issue. We have peaks and troughs. We play really well and then someone will score a try or two tries and we fall off the game."

POCKLINGTON entertain their oldest rivals Driffield in their final North One East league game of the year.

When the two sides met first time around in September, Pocklington underperformed after a strong opening and Driffield took control to record a comfortable 26-10 victory.

Since then, both sides have had periods of good form and some shaky results but, with home advantage tomorrow, Pocklington will be looking for revenge.

The form book also favours Pocklington, with two wins from their last three games against Driffield's three successive defeats.

But Pocklington's recent successes have been achieved with much changed lineups due to injury and unavailability and final selection will require the results of a stock take at the end of the week.

Definitely missing is three-quarter Josh Britland, who has gone to work in Dubai.

Selby, fresh off picking up their third win of the season against Yarnbury last time out, have a tough visit to leaders Bradford & Bingley to contemplate in Yorkshire One.

York RI, beaten 17-0 by Rotherham Phoenix in their previous outing, will try to get back to winning ways against Skipton at New Lane.