AFTER a magnificent start to the North East Division Two season, Malton and Norton RUFC are in danger of relegation.

They led the table after five games but Saturday's 25-3 defeat at Sandal means the men from The Gannock must secure two more points to ensure safety.

The chasing pack are catching up quickly and all could result on points difference to decide the three relegation places.

Their only points at Sandal, who themselves are battling for points, came from an Ian Cooke penalty.

Over eagerness in the Malton backs was punished when they were caught offside and from the resulting tap penalty the left wing was put over for the opening score. A towering touchline conversion and two successful penalties put Sandal 13-0 up.

Without suspended skipper Chris Creber, Malton lacked penetration and they were caught behind the gain line too often.

On the half hour a scrappy lineout 20 metres out from the Malton line was eventually won by Sandal who set up a drive before releasing the ball to the left wing who scored on the overlap.

Malton failed to take advantage of the slope in the second half even though flankers David Cooke and Andy Mitchell got through a tremendous amount of work and prop Liam Vaughan was always in the thick of things.

Malton's visit to bottom club Morpeth next week is now a must win game.

Selby sank deeper into the Yorkshire One relegation mire after losing 28-27 at home to Huddersfield YMCA.

They were in complete control with a 27-7 lead with ten minutes remaining but the Sandhill Lane visitors ran in three converted tries near the end to snatch victory.

YMCA had drawn first blood when winger Chris Beevers took advantage of some poor Selby tackling to go under the posts, leaving Littlewood an easy conversion.

But by half-time Selby had their noses in front. First Dan Porter slotted over a penalty, then in the second minute of added-on time Shaun Austerfield held on to Wright Phillips' pass to go over in the corner and Porter added an excellent conversion.

Porter also added the extras to a fine Martin Protheroe try in the 55th minute to put Selby 17-7 ahead before another well struck Porter penalty increased Selby's advantage.

When Selby took a ball against the head on the YMCA line No 8 Kevin Lowery picked up and dived over. Porter's kick made it 27-7 and Selby seemed home and dry.

But they inexplicably collapsed in the closing stages. Tony Simpson cut the arrears with a try converted by David Rees, then Selby flanker Duncan Phillips and YMCA scrum-half Damien O'Hehir were yellow carded after a fracas.

Selby's defence was looking increasingly fragile and alarm bells were ringing when winger Max Nyahoda went over and Rees' kick put YMCA within six points of the home side.

The visitors then completed their amazing comeback in the second minute of added on time when Nyahodsa went under the posts and Rees held his nerve to kick the winning conversion.

Updated: 10:59 Monday, April 04, 2005