Malton and Norton will put their Yorkshire Three title challenge under scrutiny when they travel to leaders Heath tomorrow.

With six teams vying for the two promotion spots, Malton could go a long way to booking their place in Yorkshire Two by toppling Heath.

Hopes are high in the Malton camp but complacency will not be a problem, as they already know what to expect from their rivals.

The Heath defence will be a hard nut to crack and Malton will have to be on top of their game to come away with the spoils. However, if recent performances are anything to go by, Chris Creber's men will be up to the task.

The club have no injury worries for the clash, but the side shows one change from that which disposed of Bradford Salem in the Yorkshire Shield. Neil Gilbertson is attending a wedding which gives veteran Tim Chapman, the hat-trick hero of Twickenham, the chance to regain a place on the wing.

Selby and York could both have a say in the Yorkshire One title race as their battle to become the top local team hots up.

Selby head to Horsforth to take on fourth-placed Yarnbury, while York host third-placed Old Brodleians.

Selby face the tougher task - having to topple the only side who have an outside chance of reeling in runaway leaders Hull.

Yarnbury trail Gary Pearce's outfit by six points, but with two games in hand and a trip to Hull still to come, they will be in no mood to step off the gas.

But having only just lost 17-10 earlier in the season at Sandhill Lane, Selby know they have nothing to fear, especially as they will be armed with Carl Paterson, albeit in his less favoured role at full-back.

Tom Bayston, Wright Philips and Jason Cicero should all be back after missing the defeat of Ripon.

Level with Yarnbury, but having played more games, are Old Brods and York will look to end their hopes of a title challenge.

The experience of player-coach Matt Emmerson will be key for the Clifton Park side, while veteran lock Dave Spanton returns to the pack.

Spanton, who has missed the last two league matches because of police duties will be partnered by Brad MacDonald.

The rest of the team remains the same as that which so efficiently beat Pocklington recently and the York coaching staff are hoping the clinical finishing showed in that game will continue tomorrow.

In October, Old Brods beat York 31-10 thanks to a devastating ten-minute period when they scored 21 points using the pace of their back division, which included former rugby league player Simon Irving.

However, Brods have narrowly lost their last two games against Hull and Yarnbury, a sequence which York hope to continue.

Relegation-threatened Pockling-ton can give their season a much-needed shot in the arm by beating fellow strugglers Beverley.

With just two wins in 16 attempts, Pock look to be favourites for the drop, but they are not going to give up without a fight.

The return of experienced trio Dan Clappison, Rob Nolan and Kev Bowling will give the backs direction, while former West Hartlepool flanker Mike Ewine will start his first league game for the club.

Winger Rob Jackson fills in at scrum-half due to the unavailability of Andy Kirby and Henry Mitchell, while Phil Thompson faces a late fitness test on a damaged ankle.

The pressure is building on York RI as they head to Yorkshire Two contenders Dinnington.

The Railwaymen are languishing third from bottom, and with West Leeds and Hemsworth breathing down their necks they are desperate to return to winning ways.

However, with the title within their sights, Dinnington, inspired by former Harrogate prop Mark Pinder, will prove difficult to overcome. RI will also be without the injured Manu Fotu and the unavailable Ericson Atkins.

RI spokesman Nigel Lowry said: "It's becoming a bit of a dogfight at the bottom, but we've got to look to pick up points. It will be tough but we ran Dinnington close last time and they are beatable."

Harrogate will resume hostilities with old foes Wharfedale when the two sides collide at Grassington.

With promotion now only a mathematical possibility, the Claro Roaders are concentrating on achieving their highest-ever finish since the introduction of the league format in 1987.

But, having already inflicted the first defeat of the season on National Two leaders Plymouth Albion, Wharfedale have shown they are no pushovers at home.

"We are determined to get our highest finish," said 'Gate team boss Graham Siswick. "In the past we've had some exciting games against them.

"We know what to face when we get there. We know it will be difficult with the pitch, the conditions and the hostile crowd. But a lot of our players have been there before and will be used to it."

Harrogate have made one change to the line-up that beat Esher on Saturday, with Rijan Slater coming in on the blind-side flank, with Mike Worden moving across to the open-side as Steve Hobson is on holiday.

Updated: 12:40 Friday, February 22, 2002