There is going to be one disappointed Malton and Norton player tomorrow.

Coach Pat Stephenson has named a party of 22 players for their Tetley's Bitter Vase final against Hoylake at Twickenham, but one won't be involved.

To back up the starting XV, each club is allowed to name six substitutes, therefore a maximum of only 21 players can figure, so one is set to miss out on the chance to play at the home of rugby.

However, Stephenson won't name that man until the last minute when he knows where he stands as regards injuries, with back row duo Rich Webster (ankle) and Ed Gwillam (side strain) both presently rated only 80 per cent fit.

"We want to give them every chance of proving their fitness and if they can they will be in the squad," Stephenson said.

"But we've got a lot of players and they are all desperately keen to play and if you are carrying someone it's not fair on the others."

Webster and brother David are one of two sets of siblings in the squad, the other being David and Ian Cooke, while there are three Australians in the party - skipper Chris Creber, Phil Ryan and Nick Tyson.

The latter will be meeting up with the squad in London where he lives and works, travelling to up to North Yorkshire to play in league games.

This means he is usually unable to train in midweek up at The Gannock, though whether his attendance would have made much difference this week is questionable.

"It would have been nice to have a decent week's weather for training but it's been awful," said Stephenson.

"When you are practising moves and set pieces there's a lot of standing around involved, and this weather has not been nice to stand around in.

"I'm hoping it's been the same over in Merseyside (where Hoylake are based) and that they've also had some problems fine-tuning."

Malton will be hoping to continue a proud Yorkshire tradition in the competition. Sheffield Tigers won it last year and Huddersfield YMCA beat West Leeds 40-8 in the 1998 final. In between, Scarborough reached the semi-finals, losing to Billericay, who beat Silhillians 19-3 in the 1999 final.

Stephenson said: "The lads are in a confident frame of mind. As a team we're gelling very well.

Tickets can be bought on the day. They cost £12 for adults, £6 juniors or £30 for a family ticket covering two adults and two children.

A crowd of around 10,000, housed in Twickenham's West Stand, is expected to attend the Vase final which kicks off at 1pm. It will be followed by the Intermediate Cup final between Blaydon and Old Patesians (3pm).

After the match, the Malton squad and management will be heading to the Cabbage Patch pub opposite Twickenham Station from 5pm onwards, and they have invited all supporters to go along.

Updated: 09:17 Friday, April 20, 2001