BUOYANT Pocklington RUFC head into 2017 joint-top of North One East alongside big-guns West Hartlepool - but boss Mat Webber has warned they must be at "their best every week" to maintain their standing.

His side will certainly be put to the test in the coming weeks with away trips to all three of their nearest rivals, while first up tomorrow is another tough encounter, at home to Bradford & Bingley (2.15pm).

They go into the tough run without inspirational lock Tom Peters, too, due to injury in the annual challenge match against Old Pocklingtonians on Boxing Day.

Bradford & Bingley sit just five points behind Pock in fifth place, and like their hosts have lost only four times in 15 outings.

They are also one of the league's form sides, overcoming a shaky start to win eight of their last nine games, and they beat Pocklington 20-15 in the first encounter between the two back in September.

Pock also finished 2016 in good form, including some high-scoring victories, and head coach Webber, in his mid-term report, said: "The first half of the season has been really enjoyable and rewarding for all involved, and ultimately that is paramount for a completely amateur set-up.

"That said, we have lacked consistency at times. The jury is still out as to what has caused this, but what I do know is that we hit form before Christmas and as a group we are excited by the challenges ahead.

"Our first big test is Bradford & Bingley, whose recent form is as strong as any in the league.

"We will be without Tom Peters, who suffered a bad injury on Boxing Day, and the challenge for the players going forward is to be consistent and put performances in of Tom's standard.

"As a group we have to hit form quickly - the league is so competitive you have to be at your best every week.

"We need to prove that the earlier inconsistency was a result of the squad getting to grips with new styles of play and understanding the requirements of the new coaching team.

"Overall the players have been excellent, and it's been a real pleasure to work with Tony Penn and Sean Bass - they have both been inspiring and top-class additions to Pocklington RUFC."

At the other end of the table, Malton & Norton get back to North One East action with a crunch clash - but with spokesman Bill Laidler confident they can quickly climb out of the relegation zone.

A five-match losing streak sent the Ryedale men to third bottom, with only Guisborough and Wheatley Hills below them - two sides who look destined for the drop.

However, that slide was halted by victory at home to Huddersfield YMCA prior to the Christmas interlude and with key men coming back from injury - including South African ace Vus Dyantjies, prop Ben Bootham and number eight Ali Coe - Laidler reckons the upturn in fortunes will continue as they look to consolidate in this tier after promotion from Yorkshire One.

They stay at The Gannock this weekend, where they face a key encounter against Dinnington (2.15pm), the side sitting one place and four points above them.

"We suffered badly with injuries in the five weeks before Christmas and there were a lot of fixtures we should have won, even with the injuries," said Laidler.

"The three-week break allows us to get back up to full strength.

"We beat Huddersfield YMCA last time out and the next game is against Dinnington, who are just above us in the table. We beat them quite comfortably at Dinnington with a full side and, once we get back to full strength and back firing on all cylinders, we should pick up a lot more points.

"Mid-table would be our rightful place in the league this year."