BUSY Malton and Norton warm up for their trip to Twickenham with the best possible preparation - a crunch game against keen Yorkshire Three rivals Skipton tomorrow.

The top-of-the table battle is just what Malton coach Pat Stephenson wants to keep his side on their toes for the following weekend's big day out in the Tetley's Bitter Vase final against Hoylake.

Malton have a match in hand on third-placed Skipton, who will have three matches to play after tomorrow's game at The Gannock.

The only absentee from Malton's side is Dave Cooke, who is resting a wrist injury, otherwise the squad is raring to go towards the club's most exciting end to a season.

Spirits could not be higher at Malton after their crushing 99-10 victory over Hullensians in the league last Saturday, with Malton's second string adding to the excitement with yet another title decider against Skipton 'A' for the Yorkshire Three Merit Table.

York RI must also keep on winning if their are to come out on top of Yorkshire Three so victory over tomorrow's visitors, Leeds Corinthians, is vital with RI in the happy position of having a full squad from which to make their late selection.

Apart from Chris Crompton, who is suffering from a dislocated shoulder, Selby have a full squad available to play their last Yorkshire League game of the season at Pontefract.

After having a side entered in the Pocklington 7s today, Scarbor-ough Gulls play a Former Colts XV at Newby tomorrow (3pm kick off) which is a game staged in memory of a former Colts captain, Dave Muirhead, who was killed in a car accident some years ago.

Scarborough Vikings are in action on Sunday against Scarbor-ough Sixth-Form College (2pm).

Both centres Jason Bell and Ben Taylor are unavailable for Ripon in Yorkshire One this week at Old Brodleians, so Richard Bannister and Kevin Guy are drafted into the three-quarter line alongside Mark Rees, who is brought in on the wing. Brad Atkinson moves from centre to the back row in place of Pete Simms.

Nestl Rowntree entertain a touring side, Corby, tomorrow but 'Trees still have to fulfil their last remaining Yorkshire Six game against Wharfedale Rams, which was believed to be the first game ever to be postponed because of the foot and mouth disease back in February.

If the ball is kicked into a nearby field at Wharfedale, the players who go to retrieve it have to be disinfected, along with the ball, before returning to the playing area.

Goole have completed their season in North Two East as their only outstanding fixture at Alnwick has been abandoned because of foot and mouth restrictions.

Updated: 11:47 Friday, April 13, 2001