Malton and Norton's promotion credentials will be given the sternest of examinations by Pocklington tomorrow.

Pocklington may be bottom of Yorkshire Two, condemned to their second successive relegation, but the Percy Roaders will be in no mood to roll over and die when they make the short trip to the Gannock.

With local pride at stake and in the white-hot atmosphere of a derby match, Pock will provide Malton will plenty to think about.

And Malt coach Pat Stephenson only needs to look across to the local rugby league code to see the pitfall his side faces with Heworth ARL's promotion push in the National Conference League division two ended at the hands of struggling York Acorn.

Malton, however, showed last week that when they are in the mood, they can take apart any opposition - local or otherwise - with York RI feeling the full force of their talents in the Yorkshire Shield.

With West Park Bramhope and West Leeds both equal on points with Malt in second place, and Keighley almost certain to now finish top, the pressure is on not to falter at this late stage.

Only Tim Chapman and Andy Whalley are missing from the Malton squad as they pay Pocklington the upmost respect with their first-choice XV.

Pock have also named a strong, experienced side, with Tim Bolton, Rob Jackson and Kev Bowling returning to the backline, with skipper Darren Smith set to lead from the front.

While Malton attempt to close in on a place in Yorkshire One, York will make a giant step to leaving the top-flight county league with a win over Pontefract tomorrow.

If York are to avoid a nail-biting last match of the season against Selby, they must beat Pontefract away to be certain of a home play-off for promotion.

Over recent years both Selby and Pontefract have proved difficult encounters with the latter being the only team other than Bridlington to win at Clifton Park this season.

York field the same team that comprehensively beat Sheffield Tigers in the last league match.

This means they will be without player-coach Pete Curtis who is unavailable with his place being taken in the second-row by Brad Macdonald.

In the backs Mark Roberts continues in the centre in place of Sam Arkle, who has a broken collarbone, which means that Ben Quick retains his place at stand-off which was Roberts' before Quick's return to Clifton Park.

In the absence of Law College student Tom Crittenden through a neck injury, Nick Hare comes on to the bench as front row replacement.

Also on the bench will be Gareth Thomas who had an outstanding game in the second team against Ripon last Saturday.

York's final opponents Selby may be out of the promotion race and clear of relegation, but they will not want the ignominy of a second loss against bottom club Sheffield Tigers at Sandhill Lane.

The Tigers, having been a difficult proposition last season, have endured a campaign to forget and are on their way to dropping into Yorkshire Two.

However, they did manage to rack up a 15-10 win over Selby earlier in the season - one of only two wins.

Having leaked over a half-century of points against Malton in the Yorkshire Shield, York RI will strive to tighten up their defence and finish their league season on a high at Castleford.

Having virtually guaranteed their place in Yorkshire Three for this season, coach Chris Leathley will have one eye on plans for the new campaign.

And a win over fellow mid-table outfit Castleford would be the ideal boost to those ambitious plans.

Another side looking to next season are Harrogate after their hopes of promotion from National Two evaporated in the post-Christmas run-in.

However, Ralph Zoing's men can still achieve their highest-ever finish of third.

That should ensure that tomorrow's visitors Nottingham will not to get an easy ride.

Updated: 11:11 Friday, March 28, 2003