CONTRASTING home and away form comes into focus again in North One East as Pocklington visit bogey team Morpeth.

The omens are not good for the East Yorkshire outfit, however, not only from recent meetings but also the sides' respective results this term - Morpeth have not won on the road but have a 100 per cent home record while Pock, having likewise won all five at home, have won only once in four away-day outings.

On needing to lift their jinx, Pock spokesman Phil Gilbank said: "We have often looked the better side in games against Morpeth but somehow the dogged Northumbrians have stolen the result.

"This term the two clubs have enjoyed similar fortunes, with Pocklington currently fourth in the table with six wins from their nine games, while Morpeth are two places below after five victories - all of them at home."

At least Pocklington can point to recent clashes with Alnwick - Pock beat Alnwick last week, seven days after Alnwick pipped their their Northumberland neighbours Morpeth.

Conversely, though, Pock lost at Durham City the week earlier, seven days after Morpeth comprehensively saw off the same opposition.

Matt Davies and Owen Jackson out of the Pock pack this weekend but Jack Holbrough and Joe Brown both return in their places.

Morpeth have asked for a 2pm kick off so the bus for Pock players and supporters leaves at 9am.

Malton & Norton go from bottom to top hoping their big victory last time out will stand them in good stead.

The Ryedale side returned to winning way with an eight-try 53-0 romp against Wheatley Hills to send the visitors to the foot of the table.

Tomorrow the task becomes considerably harder - a trip to leaders Penrith.

Spokesman Bill Laidler was optimistic their "finest display of the season" will give them confidence.

He said: "Some of the rugby and handling, despite the conditions, from forwards and backs alike was a delight to watch and bodes well for the remainder of the season."

York will look to bounce back from their defeat at Bradford Salem last week when late scores ended their three-match winning run, as they host Beverley, a side one point and one place above them in the Yorkshire One table.

Beverley saw off Selby 29-3 last weekend to leapfrog the Clifton Parkers in the table.

Selby, meanwhile, have a tough test at home to third-placed Keighley.

York RI's first team have a week off in Yorkshire Four.

l POCKLINGTON senior vice-president Adrian Styche has a spare table for the club's sportsman's lunch, sponsored by Yorkshire's Finest Hampers, on Sunday, November 27, when the main speaker with be ex-Scotland and British Lions lock and current TV pundit Doddie Weir. For information, phone Styche on 07836 507975 or email adrian.styche@frontierag.co.uk. He is also seeking sporting items and memorabilia and/or promises for the event's charity auction.