Malton & Norton 3rds 58 – Bridlington 2nds 7
Pat Lane
Despite several regulars unavailable Malton 3rds were able to call on a mix of youthful enthusiasm and some old heads to dominate a large Bridlington pack and run in 10 tries in this entertaining game. A couple of weeks earlier Malton were beaten at Bridlington whose pack won them the game and this time round it looked like they would have the same game plan.
Malton started brightly and within a couple of minutes captain Collins barged over for a well taken try but Bridlington using the wind advantage started to put on pressure pinning the home side in their own 22, this pressure was soon rewarded with a converted try to give them the lead. Despite the size difference Maltons pack more than held their own Jordan Smith at scrumhalf kept the tempo up to move the big Bridlington pack around the field. Great credit to all in the pack for putting in a great shift, the front row of Wood, Hickes and the elder Milton Wright were immense, young second rows Marshall and Keregowski kept making great yards and the back row of man of the match Ordidge, Sutton and Stephenson totally outplayed their opposite numbers.
Malton s fast open game was now starting to find gaps and a sweeping move across the backs saw Angus Drury score his first senior try with a well taken touch down in the corner. This was soon followed with another score when the impressive Marshall charged through for another try under the posts. Maltons handling and passing is improving and the backs were keen to run it at every opportunity, Collins at outhalf unselfishly kept providing the impressive Coulson who made yards every time and well supported at outside centre by Joe Brown with some good outside breaks and clever kicks through. Just before half time right winger Bakes was unlucky not to score his first try but undeterred Midgley at full back charged through to give a try scoring pass to Coulson. Malton came off at half time 20 points to seven ahead knowing there was a lot more scores out there and they did not disappoint.
A combination of clever kicks aided by the breeze and great interchanges between backs and forwards give Malton control of the second half and were soon awarded with another try from Marshall. Malton then brought on Ed Brown on the wing for his senior debut and he did not look out of place with some strong tackling and running. Lively scrum half Smith who had another excellent game darted down the left side for a well-deserved try soon followed by a try from back row Sutton which was excellently converted by Collins. With Malton now totally dominant it was time to use the rest of the considerable bench. Liam Cowton came on the wing and Adey Hall fitted in to scrum half. Collins then came off for a breather, Coulson moved to ten allowing the Brown brothers Joe and Ed to make up the new centre combination. Sean Ward then replaced Keregowski who is improving with every game and is another young prospect who loves to run with the ball.
Speedy Berkashe replaced Drury who had his best game to date in a Malton shirt. In the final ten minutes it was time to unleash the elder Brown from the bench and like a greyhound out of the traps set off to join the play in his familiar back row position, for some reason he appeared at hooker for the next scrum! This capped off a great afternoon for the Browns and congratulations to James for joining his boys on the field. Everyone was hungry to get on the score sheet but fittingly it was Marshall who went over for his hattrick. Two further tries from the strong running Sutton and Coulson before full time finished off an excellent display from everyone involved. Despite the one-sided score credit to Bridlington who never gave up and special thanks to their coach who stepped up to ref halfway through the second half when referee Mr Conlin pulled up lame.
We are at home again on Saturday to Hull University which based on our previous game will be a fast open encounter which should make for entertaining viewing.
