INJURIES continue to plague Malton & Norton RUFC but pride will propel them to put in a performance when they host derby rivals York in Yorkshire One tomorrow, club chiefs believe.

After a 17-match unbeaten run earlier in the season, The Gannock outfit fell to their third defeat in four games when they went down 30-27 at Yarnbury - worrying form as a promotion play-off looms.

With South African aces Zweli Sodladla and Vus Dyantjies having flown home, Malton have also been hit by injuries at the wrong time.

Captain Sam Triffitt was injured in the warm-up before the Yarnbury defeat and is unlikely to be risked against York.

Josh Heggie is also out and head coach Chris Creber was forced to don his boots and join the replacements. He is set to reprise that role this week.

Club spokesman Bill Laidler said: “Injuries, which have been a rarity this season, are now taking their toll. At a push, one or two of them could play but with the play-off looming it is a balancing act at the moment.

“We want everyone to be in peak form and fit. We don’t want anyone crocking themselves. This game is about bragging rights. York have done well this season but we have not lost very often at home.

“The players will be up for it and we will be all right up front. We have to stick our hands up and be counted.”

York have made sweeping changes to their side after their “disappointing” loss to Hullensians.

Freddie Potrykus, Aaron Thompson and Curtis Fletcher are among those parachuted into head coach Sean Bass’s side as he seeks a reaction after two consecutive defeats.

He said: “It’s a big game. Our performance last Saturday was not very good to say the least. You have two teams that need a win - not for league points but for momentum.

Malton need a win for a bit of confidence going into the play-offs and I hope they do get promoted.

“We need a win because we have had two defeats on the bounce. Hullensians wanted it a little bit more than us and this is a massive game for us.”

On his line-up, he added: “We have made changes and there are a couple of lads who are out of form.

We couldn’t hit a barn door with the line-out last week and you can’t play without the ball.

“It was not a good feeling last Saturday. It has upset them and the turnout at training this week has been massive. We are looking for a big game and for some players to rise to the occasion.

“We have got to go there and play very well and we will need to be extremely good to beat them. They will be smarting from their loss and will want to bounce back. We are expecting a very physical game and we have to look forward to that and front up to them from the start.”

Going bold at Old

SELBY RUFC, whose ambitions of achieving a fifth place finish in Yorkshire One took a knock when they were edged 13-11 at Sandhill Lane by North Ribblesdale a week ago, bid to get back to winning ways against Old Brodleians tomorrow.

Pocklington travel to North One East leaders Sheffield tomorrow.

With the Panthers also away to Sheffield opposition, club chiefs will finalise selection after training, but hope to have three-quarter Matt White back in contention.

York RI host mid-table Halifax Vandals in Yorkshire Four hoping to close the six-point gap on third placed Skipton.

The Vandals put 66 points past hapless Hornsea last weekend but sit in eighth place in the table.