Youth is the key

The fly-half, in his second full season with the club, has been appointed skipper after the retirement of Phil Ryan.

Creber, a teacher at Terrington Hall and Malton School, takes over the leadership after Ryan finally succumbed to a long-standing shoulder injury.

The Gannock has a proud tradition of growing their own and Creber will be hoping that some of the younger players will come through the ranks to taste first team action in Yorkshire Three.

Creber will not be the only Antipodean on duty this winter, New Zealander Nigel Wrightson looks set for one of the prop slots while No 8 Richard Webster should be available after his year's work placement at Newcastle Polytechnic has taken him 'home' to Harrison Construction.

Two student centres should also be available at the start of the campaign - Duncan Donaldson and Philip Seed.

Donaldson is captain of Cambridge University's second string, the Sixties Club, while Seed, the Scarborough cricketer, will be heading for Durham University.

Vice-captain is Fadmoor-based hooker Steve Hayhurst.

Coach Pat Stephenson is hoping that Malton can build on last season's much improved effort following a poor 1998-99.

"We played a lot better last year and showed a good spirit," said Stephenson, who has been encouraged by the numbers turning up for training.

Malton and Norton

Yorkshire Three fixtures

September: 2 Halifax Vandals (h), 9 Marist - Tetley Vase (h), 16 Sheffield Oaks (a), 23 York RI (h), 30 Heath (a).

October: 14 Otliensians (h), 21 Leeds Corinthians (a), 28 Moortown (h).

November: 11 Hullensians (a), 18 Bramley Phoenix (h), 25 Skipton (a)

December: 2 Wath - Yorkshire Shield (a), 9 Barnsley (h), 16 Bramley Phoenix (a), 23 Scarborough (a), 30 Ripon (h)

January: 6 Hullensians (h), 13 Moortown (a), 20 Leeds Corinthians (h), 27 Otliensians

February: 10 Heath (h), 24 York RI

March: 10 Sheffield Oaks (h), 17 halifax Vandals (a), 31 Barnsley (a)

April: 14 Skipton (h)