Malton and Norton secured promotion to Yorkshire Two last Saturday and immediately set their sights on the title.

Although rivals Heath only trail the Gannock table-toppers by a point with three matches to play, their shock 29-23 defeat by Leeds Corinthians has given Malton new hope.

And Pat Stephenson's men, who have just a rearranged home clash against Barnsley on April 27 outstanding, know the title is now in the lap of the gods.

"We will have to see what happens as there is little that we can do now," admitted Stephenson, who saw his side denied last season in their promotion push. "Heath are in a same position as we were last year where they have reached the cup final and still have games to fit in.

"The season will just go on for them and as the grounds get harder it will start to take a toll on their squad.

"I have every sympathy for them as they are almost being punished for being successful, but if you are going to be successful you will have to win every game."

Promotion for the Malton boys will set up derby games with relegation-bound Yorkshire One rivals Pocklington and potentially York RI - who are battling against the drop in Yorkshire Two.

But next season looks set to be the last in charge for Stephenson with Richard Johns set to step up from assistant after one final fling.

"Richard has done a lot of the hard work as it is on Tuesdays and Thursdays and as his role expands mine will contract," he added. "We hope to have a nice smooth cross over, but I'll still be there this season, running up and down the touch line."

Pictured: Malton and Norton RUFC, back row (from left) Richard Johns (coach), Steve Riddolls, Dave Knaggs, Andrew Mitchell, Tim Chapman, Liam Cowton, James Mckay, Mike Knaggs (president), Pat Stephenson (coach), middle: Bill Laidler (team manager), John Newsome, Dave Webster, Duncan Foster, Ian Mansell, Richard Webster, Phil Ryan, front: Ian Cooke, Carl Rushworth, Chris Creber, Tom Piercy, Matt Richmond, Tom Eddy.

Updated: 11:11 Saturday, April 20, 2002