TREBLE-CHASING Malton and Norton received a tremendous boost ahead of their big day at Twickenham next Saturday by beating one of their big rivals for the Yorkshire Three title.

They defeated Skipton 25-21 in a highly competitive encounter and there was more cause for celebration at The Gannock when news filtered through that another title-seeking side, York RI, had been unexpectedly beaten at home by Leeds Corinthians.

Heath, who have played two games more than Malton still head the division.

Malton, chasing a Tetley's Bitter Vase, Yorkshire Shield and Yorkshire Three triple crown, needed a test ahead of their Vase final at Twickenham, and Skipton provided a stern one.

Both sides needed the points to stay in contention for league honours in a real 'four-pointer' and the large Gannock crowd, swelled by a sizeable contingent from Skipton, were kept in suspense throughout as the advantage swung first one way and then the other.

Over eagerness at a ruck in front of the Malton posts cost Malton a penalty which the sure-footed Adam Oldfield converted to give Skipton an early lead.

Although Malton appeared to have superiority whenever the ball was passed wide they were still unable to secure enough quality possession to set the backs free. On the first occasion the three-quarters did see the ball they soon made good ground through centres Arthur Wilson and Tim Chapman for Wilson to score wide out to give Malton the lead.

Facing the steady drizzle and with the wind in their faces the home side still found the going tough, particularly up front, and could not find a way out of their own half causing frustration to set in and penalties to be conceded.

Malton's defence was good but such was the pressure that the wall was bound to be breached and Skipton full-back George Smithson provided his side with a boost when he crossed the line for a try which Oldfield converted.

Again Malton struck back to level the scores when Chapman rounded off another three-quarter move for the first of his three tries. Like Malton, the visitors do not give in lightly and soon took the lead again through two well struck penalties from Oldfield to hold a 16-10 half-time advantage.

The first score after the interval came when fly-half Chris Creber cleverly chipped over the Skipton defensive wall for the advancing Chapman to gather and sprint in under the posts for Andy Newsome to convert for Malton to take a single-point lead.

Using the elements intelligently it was now Malton's turn to apply the pressure and press home the advantage. After declining a relatively simple penalty chance Malton elected to run the ball and the decision was fully justified when Chapman forced his way over to complete his hat-trick to extend the lead.

Just to keep everyone on tenterhooks, Skipton then began a fight-back and mounted a wave of attacks on the Malton line. Impressive No 8 forward Miles McDuff, who had been well policed by the Malton back row for most of the game, battled his way over the line to narrow Malt's lead to one point with ten minutes remaining on the clock.

Fortunately for Malton, Oldfield had been substituted earlier and his replacement was unable to convert.

With time almost up Malton forced the visitors to concede a penalty in front of their posts and 20 metres out. Up stepped young winger Ian Cooke to coolly slot the ball between the uprights to seal victory.

With York RI losing at home to Leeds Corinthians this victory puts Malton in pole position to take the league title if they can win their remaining three league games.

Updated: 12:04 Monday, April 16, 2001