MALTON & Norton RUFC are hopeful of springing a surprise tomorrow when they host North One East leaders Alnwick.

The Northumbrian side have won seven on the trot, including two big wins over teams in the bottom half of the table in the past two games, while Malt have only just begun to ease their relegation concerns.

Alnwick have lost just one game in 2018, narrowly losing 10-9 at high-fliers Driffield and, in their last two fixtures, have amassed 143 points in a 75-17 win over Huddersfield YMCA and a 68-0 triumph over Northern.

Malt, meanwhile, were dealt a severe blow to their survival hopes a fortnight ago when they were beaten 40-19 at Cleckheaton and missed the chance to extend the 10-point advantage they have over the bottom two sides in the division.

But spokesman Bill Laidler is optimistic the eighth-placed hosts could upset the apparent form book and emulate last season’s result when Malt saw off Alnwick 34-21 at the Gannock.

Laidler believes there were encouraging signs at Cleck, where Malt showed good fight to cross the whitewash three times and match their physical hosts for periods of the game.

He is also hopeful conditions could work in Malt’s favour with the visitors having to make a 120-mile trip south to a pitch that has suffered with the recent weather and which may slow down their potent attack.

He said: “It’s a big one. They’ve scored 68 and 75 points these past two games.

“But it’s a long way for them to travel and the weather could have a big part in it. They play a fast open game which could be compromised with the rain we’ve had.

“Last season, both of us were in similar position, but we beat them.

“We didn’t play badly against Cleckheaton either. Alnwick have got a very fast set of backs, but we should be able to hold our own up front.”

Malt's have few injury concerns, with the only major one being captain Sam Triffitt who has suffered a recurrence of a long-standing knee injury that may keep him out until the end of the season.

North Premier bottom side Pocklington tomorrow are due to host sixth-placed Billingham who have lost three of their last four, most recently going down 26-17 at Rossendale.

Pock saw their fixture at Harrogate called off last week.

Yorkshire One leaders York will continue their charge on the league title after being edged out in the RFU Intermediate Cup semi-final 24-22 by Droitwich.

The Clifton Park outfit tomorrow travel to Old Brodleians who were beaten by basement side Wheatley Hills two weeks ago before seeing off North Ribblesdale 18-10 last Saturday.

Selby host Old Rishworthians tomorrow as they look to pull further away from the drop zone.

The eighth-placed visitors had their home game against Hullensians postponed last week after a 29-7 win over Keighley the Saturday before.

York RI are at home to third-placed Thirsk in Yorkshire Four Shield tomorrow. Both sides had the week off last Saturday, with Thirsk’s last game ending with a 22-0 win over bottom side Sheffield Oaks and RI being beaten 29-15 by leaders Bramley Phoenix.