Malton and Norton can move a step closer to a Twickenham appearance when they entertain former giants of the game, Gosforth, in the fourth round of the Tetley's Bitter Vase tomorrow.

Coach Pat Stephenson, who recently turned 42, comes back into the side at number eight for what he believes could be "the most important game in the club's history."

A former player with leading club Bedford, he will add some valuable experience in what should be a tough encounter.

Gosforth were one of the sport's leading teams until the bulk of their top players joined Newcastle Falcons' bid for glory.

However, they have continued as a club in their own right and are currently flying high in Durham/Northumberland Two with 10 wins from 10 games.

That is the equivalent of one division above Malton and Norton, who top Yorkshire Three, but Stephenson is confident they can pull off a shock.

"We are very upbeat. Our destiny is in our own hands. We have got to take it to them and get among them in the first 20 minutes," he said.

Ian Mansell returns at full-back after recovering from a knee injury while prop Tom Eddy is back after a rib problem.

Harrogate make one change in personnel and one positional switch as they go in search of a sixth successive home win by adding the scalp of National League Two Nottingham to those of Esher, Bracknell, West Hartlepool, Fylde and Newbury.

They will have a double incentive to keep the run going for next up at Claro Road will be Wharfedale and there is not the inconsequential matter of a 25-0 Threshfield drubbing to put right.

RAF lock Peter Taylor is away on an officers' training course so John Dudley, who has played in the back row since signing on loan from Rotherham, moves up to partner Paul Clarke.

It means a return to No 8 for former Sandal player Richard Wade, who has been relegated to the bench since 34-year-old Dudley arrived.

Head coach Ralph Zoing said: "In fact it will give us more options. Wade is a good ball player at the base of the scrum and we will still have Dudley to make his bullocking runs."

In the latter part of his career the 6ft 4in Dudley, who weighs in at 17 stones plus, has played more in the second row than the back and is prepared to fit in anywhere.

Selby will relish the task of visiting struggling York in a non-league game with Garry Kibble deputising for John Webster at centre, Mike Parsonage and Richard Topping being on the wings as Chris Crompton is resting.

Tom Bayston is unavailable so Mark Crowther plays at hooker and Tom Burton is named at lock for John Hick, who moves to wing forward with Andy Minto moving to the bench. Ian Watton replaces Wright Phillips at No 8.

York are using the match to look at RAF full-back Scott Boothroyd who takes the place of Tom Copeland. They are also trying a new half- back combination of Nigel Durham and Dirk Mulder. Tom Heppleston is the only other change in the backs as he comes in place of Sean Bass,

In the forwards, Aidie Martin who dislocated his thumb against Beverley is replaced at prop by Simon Humphries. Ian Davies is also unavailable because of a broken his thumb.

Second team skipper Simon Thornton retains his place in the second row alongside Chris Dempsey with Gareth Thomas on the bench also likely to play a part. Jim Hawcutt makes a welcome return to the back row where his pace has been missed in recent weeks.

Manu Fotu and Rod Simms return for York RI's visit to Northallerton.

Fotu was absent from last week's line-up as he was watching the Rugby League World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand at Old Trafford while Simms was at Twickenham last week to see England beat Argentina.

Goole are at Wilmslow in the fourth round of the Intermediate Cup where Goole have high hopes of gaining entry to the fifth round against a club playing in a league regarded as the equivalent of Yorkshire One.

Injuries have taken their toll on Goole's back division. Darren Moore takes the place of Neil Cawood, who has now gone to America, and Brian Cook is unavailable, so 40-year-old club treasurer Geoff Binnington gets a run out on the wing.

Phil Jackson, who damaged knee ligaments playing at No 8 in the first round, is named on Goole's replacements' bench.

Ripon entertain Roundhegians in the first round Yorkshire Shield tie. Paul Goldsmith moves to fly half as Jim Metcalfe has returned to Edinburgh University.

Scarborough are at Yarnbury in the first round of the Shield, a knee injury to Wayne Adams sees 6ft 9in Mark Ellinor named at lock. Ken Proctor is also an absentee.

Because of the Shield game, Pocklington, who were originally to have played Scarborough on Saturday, are now without a game. The break does, however, give Pocklington the chance to try and get some of their injured players fit.

Pocklington rugby manager Phil Gilbank said: "We're disappointed not to be going back to Scarborough where we had such a great battle last April in the Shield semi-final.

"But really, a week off is a blessing in disguise at the moment. We're having a bad run with injuries and have already called on 35 players in less than three months this campaign, whereas we used 39 players in the whole of last season."

Nestl Rowntree were meant to be at home to Ossett in the Tetley's Bitter Vase tomorrow but the clubs have postponed the tie until a later date.

Rowntrees turn out a mainly veterans side instead that includes 51-year-old stalwart Dave Matthewman and latest Army recruit, Andy Green who will make his club debut on the wing.

Knaresborough are scheduled to visit Ilkley's second string tomorrow.