A TALE OF TWO HALVES
James Knock
For the third consecutive week Malton scored over 30 points. After rattling up 28 points in the first half it looked as if drought conditions had set in points wise during the second half until a try in the 77th minute relieved the ennui that had set in.
With the odd patch of surface water and several sticky patches on a pitch that is now testing the resources and equipment of the ground staff Malton took to the field practically at full strength to accept the Morley kick off.
The visitors set off with their tails up and one or two of their big forwards were initially punching through and providing good second phase ball for a powerful running fullback who was not afraid to run at and occasionally through the first line of defence. Malton held out against this initial attack and soon worked their way to the Morley red zone.
On the first visit Triffitt burst through and set up Bell via Fothergill to score wide out in the 8th minute. 5-0
Fly half Poole and his opposite number then indulged in some kick tennis which Poole won convincingly as the Morley no10 failed to find touch on the third rally. Foster took the loose ball up to the 20 metre line and with the visitors straying offside an easy 3 points were taken. 8-0
Four minutes later an excellent penalty touch finder from Poole set up a line out 10 metres out from the Morley line which was cleanly taken and swiftly transferred to winger Bell to walk over in the corner to claim his double. 13-0
In the 21st minute with Morley once again giving up a penalty just inside their half Poole put his forwards in almost the same position as previously and this time the pack chose to catch and drive with Wainwright the scorer. 18-0
Nine minutes later with Malton caught napping and Morley running through some slack defence the visitors scored in the corner with the extras added. 18-7
In minute 34 back in the Morley half a strong break from Foan in midfield set up Triffitt to claim a 7 pointer. 25-7
The visitors were guilty of giving up a succession of penalties in the next five minutes and with half time approaching together with a healthy lead the skipper pointed to the uprights as they came within range for a Poole penalty. 28-7
Following a good all round first half for the men in black with Angus, Lowry, Wainwright and skipper Triffitt leading the way the large crowd anticipated more entertainment in the next 40 minutes.
With the deteriorating pitch now having its influence on proceedings the next 40 minutes were an example of rugby at its most humdrum.
Indeed the highlight of the opening minutes was the sight of a club member driving his large and heavy 4 wheel drive vehicle slowly round 3 sides of the pitch on the grass, purpose unknown, leaving the ground staff with extra work on Monday!
Malton had their chances early on in this half but a bit of white line fever combined with doughty Morley defence put paid to increasing the score. On 55 minutes Read came off the bench for a 10 minute cameo before he nonchalantly trotted off with a yellow card in his back pocket.
The game had gone flat exemplified when Malton’s fullback ignored the loud instructions from his coach to take a quick throw in and seemed content to watch the clock tick down another 60 seconds or so, and the impression was given that the home side were content to sit on their 23 point lead with the try bonus point in the bag.
It was left to the 77th minute for the opening and solitary try of the half when no8 Triffitt was the beneficiary of a pushover try. 33-7
another trip to Halifax in a fortnight is on the menu when Old Crossleyans are the hosts and with three games to complete and one or two surprise results this weekend a second or third place finish is within the realms of possibility.
Malton: Nick Salisbury, John Vasconcelos, Ben Boothman, Jamie Rounthwaite, Sean Emms, Ted Wainwright, Tom Lowry, Sam Triffitt (c), Paul Angus, Shane Poole, Ali Fothergill, Tom Foan, Jacob Stephenson, Will Bell, Blair Foster.
Subs: ( all used ). Peter Hopkins, Charlie Read, Javan Upton.
Scorers: Bell 2 tries
Wainwright 1 try
Triffitt 2 tries
Poole 1 con, 2 pens
