IT'S win or bust for York RI, Malton and Norton and Selby RUFC as a season's work comes down to just 80 tense minutes tomorrow.

A win for York RI will mean promotion from Yorkshire Three, while Selby must take maximum points if they are to have a chance of avoiding relegation from Yorkshire One.

Malton and Norton must also taste victory to give themselves a chance of going up from Durham and Northumberland One.

York RI travel to Thornensians for a vital clash knowing they will be playing Yorkshire Two rugby next year if they can take two points.

The Railwaymen line up with a fully fit squad against a Doncaster-based team who are difficult to beat on their own patch.

But club spokesman Nigel Lowrey said the players know what they have to do, and are happy to have matters in their own hands.

"We will have to be on the top of our game. If we win we will go up," he said. "It's going to be difficult but it would cap an excellent season."

The finish to the season could not have been better scripted for Malton and Norton who will be looking to beat table-topping Horden at The Gannock by at least 36 clear points.

They will be Durham and Northumberland One champions if they do that, but can still force themselves into a play-off position with a win combined with defeat for rivals Northern at Consett.

Either way Malton have a massive task on their hands, and will be without leading point scorer Ben Hough who is spending a few months in South Africa.

Ian Cooke will move to full-back with Liam Cowton coming in on the wing in an otherwise unchanged back division.

Prop forward Jon Richards is unavailable and Steve Pease will replace him, ensuring that the front row bulk is retained. Elsewhere the side which has performed with distinction for much of the campaign will be on duty.

Selby must travel to Bridlington and win if they are to retain their Yorkshire One status - and you will get long-odds on a side, which has not won a league game since December, achieving that feat.

History would also seem to be against Selby who, of seven previous encounters against Bridlington, have only managed to win two games.

Even with victory, the Sandhill Laners still need Wheatley Hills to lose to Bradford Salem or Old Crossleyans to beat Huddersfield YCMA.

That would allow Selby to crawl out of the relegation places on points difference.

In the backs, the only absentee is Martin Protheroe, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury. Skipper Toby Pemberton starts at fly-half with Dan Porter switching to full back.

Sam Weller is recalled on the wing in place of Protheroe with Shaun Austerfield back at centre after missing the YMCA game with hamstring problems - Andy Bennett is selected in the other centre spot with Andy Gabel on the other wing.

Paul Gabel props after missing the last few weeks with injury but the back row is disrupted with Richard Nicholson out with a broken nose.

Pocklington complete their Yorkshire Two programme away to Leodiensians while York sign off by travelling to take on runaway Yorkshire One leaders Sheffield Tigers.

Updated: 10:23 Friday, April 21, 2006