%20poole%20bulmer%20finlinson%20duncan%20embleton%20tweddell%20fothergill%20welch%20barker%20dempsey%20(13)-2.png?v=638475587143457270 "salisbury head featherstone dunn emms smith lowry hughes (C) poole bulmer finlinson duncan embleton tweddell fothergill welch barker dempsey (13)-2")
Bridlington 2nds 36 - Malton & Norton 3rds 7
Pat Lane
The home side provided stern opposition with a bulky forward selection who were happy to play a tight game and patiently hold on to possession to make yardage. In fact in the first quarter Malton found it difficult to get their hands on the ball and the visitors were rewarded with two tries from their forwards. However, as you would expect this Malton side never give up and playing with a strong breeze started chipping over the top up to try and move the big Bridlington forwards around the park. Malton have recruited five new players, two of these coming from this year’s colts and right from the start young Byron Marshall in the back row tackled and carried very strongly producing a man of the match display. After 10 minutes Malton lost combative front rower Nick Wilkes with a head injury but were fortunate to be able to call on Tom Milton Wright to team up in the front row with his younger brother Keiron. The front with Ben Hickes were starting to make some ground and by retaining possession with the rest of the pack started to make some excellent ground. Towards the end of the first half Malton’s backs and forwards were starting to make serious in-roads into the opposition territory with half backs Jordan Smith and Leon Newton looking like a very useful combination. Malton’s efforts were rewarded when a forward drive saw Tom Milton Wright crash over for a well-deserved try. As expected, Bridlington came back strongly but Malton’s defence was up to the task with some excellent tackling from Collins, O Shea, Ordidge and Mansell. At half time Bridlington were narrowly in front leading 10 points to 7 with all to play for.
Malton now playing into the breeze started strongly with their half backs getting more control of the game and happy to take on the opposition defence. Malton were unlucky not to score as the opposition were happy to clear their lines by using the strong breeze and chase down their clearance kicks. Malton’s cause was not helped when they lost the impressive newcomer Newton and some rearranging in the backs saw Collins go to 10 and Mansell coming out of the pack to centre. Malton then lost Keiron Milton Wright who was replaced by another newcomer in Ben Clarke who went to hooker and made some good carries, Hickes moved across to prop. John Ordidge who had another fine game in the back row was replaced by Briggs who revelled in knocking down the much larger Bridlington forwards. Although Malton kept working the bigger Bridlington forwards were starting to gain the upper hand and scored a volley of quick tries. Malton then introduced two more newcomers in Casper Kergowski in the pack and colt Conner Biggins on the wing. Malton’s last throw of the dice was to introduce veteran Ed Winchester to the fray who as expected made his presence known to the ref very quickly.
For all Malton’s hard work, they could not get on the score sheet in the second half with Bridlington’s strong home selection proving to be the winning factor. Despite the loss this was a spirited display from Malton and a great opportunity to introduce some new players who are sure to make a positive contribution in future games.
Malton host Withernsea on Saturday who will provide another strong test in this competitive league but with the pool of players now at our disposal there is no reason why we can’t get back to winning ways and allow us to enjoy England v Ireland in the clubhouse afterwards.
