IT is hard to be in crisis when you are 17 points clear at the top of the table, but problems are mounting up for Yorkshire One leaders Malton & Norton RUFC.

The Ryedale side are facing a test of character and resources ahead of their clash with North Ribblesdale at The Gannock tomorrow (3pm).

Keighley ended Malt’s 17-game winning streak last weekend and the 13-12 away defeat has taken its toll on the table-toppers.

Winger Henry Newitt was forced out of the action with a thigh injury and he is out tomorrow, as is Ryan Lonsdale who suffered a recurrence of a shoulder problem after replacing Newitt.

Second-rower Rich Webster also picked up a knock, while player-coach Chris Creber is still out and points-machine Teei Piawi damaged ankle ligaments in training.

Piawi passed 200 points for the season against Keighley and his kicking duties will be assumed by fly-half Tom Gravell, while Tom Collard comes in at centre.

There will be a debut on the wing for Jay Brown, who is making a big impression in his first season.

Club spokesman Bill Laidler said: “Jay came down at the start of the season on a Saturday afternoon and said he was due to be playing football but his game had been cancelled. He was looking for a game and played for our thirds. He had never played rugby union before but got two tries and has been doing really well.”

Sixth-placed York, fresh from a free week, will be aiming to bridge the gap between themselves and Yorkshire One’s leading pack when they go to fourth-placed Heath tomorrow (3pm).

Gareth Singleton comes in for Billy Cakaunitabua on the wing, while Sam Arkle replaces Liam Watling in the centres.

Karl Birch is back at fly-half, so Mike Cawthorn switches to scrum-half and Arran Thompson drops out.

Chris Fox and Rich Roberts are added to the pack in place of James Mulroney and Sam Thorpe, who is on the bench.

Selby ended a six-game losing run with their 31-24 success at Dinnington last weekend, but they face a far tougher trip tomorrow (3pm).

The Swans are away to Keighley, who maintained their unbeaten home record by inflicting Malton & Norton’s first defeat of the campaign last weekend.

Meanwhile, York Railway Institute host high-flying Goole at New Lane in Yorkshire Three, while Nestlé Rowntree can put more distance between themselves and the Yorkshire Five stragglers with a win against Rossington Hornets at Mille Crux.