Malton and Norton will delay naming their team ahead of their Yorkshire Shield second round clash against Bradford Salem.

The Gannock club have a couple of niggling injury doubts, so they will give the squad as much time as possible ahead of Salem's arrival.

Centre Matt Richmond is suffering with tendonitis, while prop Tom Piercy is carrying an ankle injury.

Both injuries are not overly serious and the same 15 which stuffed Halifax Vandals on Saturday is expected to turn out against a side Malton have already beaten twice in Yorkshire Three.

However, Tim Chapman and Steve Hayhurst are on stand-by to step up from the bench if needed.

Club spokesman Bill Laidler said: "We've had two fairly close games against them. They haven't got that bad a pack, but at their place our backs were just too good for them."

Harrogate will look to ease the disappointment of Saturday's defeat by Sedgley Park with their fourth successive National Two victory over Esher.

The 13-10 reverse by Park all but mathematically brought the curtain down on 'Gate's promotion hopes, however with their highest ever finish still achievable there is no question of them easing off.

And Esher, who are coached by Yorkshire-born England legend Peter Winterbottom, should offer the Claro Roaders the chance to regain the initiative, having lost to 'Gate in their last three games.

Jeremy Marr has paid the price for a loss of form and is replaced by Graeme Sarjeant on the wing, while Jamie Barker comes into the centres.

'Gate do have a selection dilemma for the No 8 position with Oliver Cook and Richard Wade vying for the shirt. Wade is carrying a knock to his calf though and if this rules him out Chris Horner will come on to the bench.

York will attempt to complete a shock double when they travel to Cleckheaton.

Inspired by dual code legend John Bentley, and able to boost a number of top names, with Gary Mercer pulling on the red and white hooped shirt this season, Cleckheaton have top the North East Two division.

However, Cleck', who are vying with Huddersfield for the title, have already fallen foul to Andy Gair's troops this season.

And after that 21-7 victory at Clifton Park, York would love more of the same at the Moorend Ground.

York make two changes for the clash with club captain Jeremy Clutton replacing Matthew Emmerson, who is unavailable, and Brad McDonald moving to the bench to make way for Matt Halifax, who returns after illness.

Dave Dorking, who returned to York from Cleckheaton before Christmas, will no doubt get a warm reception from his former team-mates when he starts at prop.

Pocklington will use their break from league fixtures to field an experimental side against a Driffield Select XV.

Mike Elwine makes his debut on the back-row after joining from West Hartlepool and he will renew his partnership with another former West in Andy Richardson. Dan Clappison and Kevin Bowling are both missing though.

Selby are travelling to Ripon to put their first team squad through its paces.

Hooker Tom Bayston is unavailable so the Sandhill Lane club welcome Paul North back to the side after a stint in London with National One outfit Bracknell.

York RI 1st XV have no game this weekend.

Updated: 12:04 Friday, February 15, 2002