AFTER just one week of the new season, the fixtures have already thrown up a mouth-watering North Yorkshire rugby union derby.

Malton and Norton entertain Selby at The Gannock in Yorkshire One tomorrow in the first-ever league encounter between the clubs.

Newly-promoted Malton got off to a flying start at Old Brodleians but have injury doubts over skipper and stand-off Chris Creber and No 8 forward James McKay, who are both suffering from tweaked hamstrings.

They will undergo late fitness tests while scrum-half Jon Newsome is unavailable and his berth is filled by Matt Miers, who will be making his first start having made a brief appearance last week as a replacement.

Vice-captain David Cooke returns to the match squad after breaking his nose in a friendly game at Hessle but will start on the replacements bench alongside James Machin and David Webster.

While Malton were getting off to a flying start, Selby slumped 30-12 at home to Wheatley Hills.

Since making his competitive debut in that match, Oliver Mantle has left the club and his place at stand-off goes to New Zealander Hamish Burns, who featured at full-back last week.

That is one of several changes made by the men from Sandhill Lane as Paul Gabel replaces John Kaye at prop.

David Batty switches to full-back and with Shaun Austerfield expected to be fit, again Andy Gabel moves to the wing to accommodate former York RL man Austerfield at centre.

Wright Phillips switches positions with Rob Taylor, from second row to No 8 and reverse. Mark Tomlinson, Kevin Lowery and Martin Protheroe are on the bench for their first action of the season.

Pocklington have a second successive Yorkshire Three away game at Hemsworth and travel without four players who are on holiday or at a wedding.

However, they hope that Yorkshire Under-20 prop Matt Webber has recovered from a bruised shoulder.

Also in the squad is front-rower John-Paul Kelly, who made a notable, but brief, impression at Percy Road as a teenager, and who is now back in action after a three-year break at university and with a knee injury.

Also in Yorkshire Three, confident York RI, 16-10 victors over Bramley Phoenix at New Lane last week, head to Wath on Dearne, who were hammered 53-15 at Moortown.

NESTLE ROWNTREE play a club game at Yarnbury 4ths.

Updated: 11:34 Friday, September 12, 2003