Malton and Norton RUFC

Malton’s hierarchy eschewed the chance to cast their eyes over Pontefract eight days ago in a cup game under the lights at Clifton Park. An informed comment post-match suggested Ponte at home would be a tough encounter and so it proved.

Overnight rain and a dry morning provided a perfect surface for running rugby at Moor Lane and the first half was played in dry conditions with the breeze increasing by the minute heralding a downpour for much of the second half.
Malton kicked off and were brisk in their approach with Tenge leading the way but with an early lapse in discipline and a penalty kick to the corner Ponte paid an early visit to the Malton red zone. The visitors won the line out and two phases later cleared their lines. On fifteen minutes Malton earned a penalty 5 metres out and having already tested the home eight at scrum time opted for that option and a simple feed to Fothergill saw him round the defence for 5 points only the conversion attempt hitting an upright.  5-0
At this stage of the game Malton were in the driving seat with the back row of Tenge, Owuor, and Triffitt to the fore working as a cohesive unit . In the twentieth minute from a line out a good quick catch and feed from Emms set up the backs with Tenge positioned behind and wide and coming into the line he set up Fothergill on the wing and his perfect return inside pass sent Tenge over the whitewash for 5 points.  10- 0
With Malton earning plenty of ball in these opening exchanges and using their back division Bell once or twice slotted a neat grubber kick for the speedy winger Collier to chase in an effort to pierce the solid home defence.
Ponte now with a bit more possession displayed their wares and a good break down the right flank was only halted by a remarkable chase tackle by young Collier metres from the line but unfortunately Poole earned a yellow card for side entry and killing the ball.
In the 28th minute Ponte were on the scoreboard from a set scrum move and a 7 pointer was posted.  10-7
For the next eight minutes Ponte ignored the extra man and proceeded to truck the ball down the middle with Malton’s defence solid and not giving way the score remained as above at halftime as the forecasted clouds gathered ominously.

The opening five minutes of this half were all Ponte as they pressured the Malton line, but in the 45th minute a massive eight man shove earned a penalty for Malton to clear their lines. Five minutes later Ponte earned a reciprocal penalty for a collapsed scrum with an innocent smiling Boothman shrugging his shoulders as his young opposite prop lay prostrate on the turf for 5 minutes. Fortunately he was helped to his feet after the necessary protocols and taken off.
In the 54th, 56th, and 58th minute Malton discipline went awol as two of the penalties awarded were converted.  10-13
Malton now brought on Bulmer with young Jones giving way and Poole moving to fullback. A minute or two later Triffitt retired hurt and Cornforth and Lowry came on.
The game now took on a rather bizarre twist as Jones taking a ball fully 50 metres out , dummied, feinted, sliced, and carved his way through hitherto solid Ponte defence of at least nine in number to score as good an individual try as you will see at this level.  17-13 in the sixty fifth minute.
Malton now looking for a fourth try were guilty of underestimating their opponents as they flung a wet ball about from deep looking to Jones to repeat his earlier magic instead of driving up the side of set and loose scrums, keeping composure, retaining possession, going through the phases till the 20 metre zone was gained and then releasing the ball.
Ponte scored with five minutes to go and retook the lead.  17-20
Malton now received two yellow cards close together served on members of the pack and suffered the ignominy of giving up a penalty try for deliberately collapsing the scrum on their line.  17-27
The final whistle whistle couldn’t come soon enough as Malton must reflect on snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, to find themselves groping in the nether regions of the league table.
Next week we host early league leaders Bradford Salem who dropped a game at Brods who now top the league with Salem dropping down to third.

MALTON:  Ben Boothman,  Jon Vasconcelos,  Nick Salisbury,  Sean Emms,  Will Dunn,  Ollie Owuor,  Ben Tenge,  Sam Triffitt (c),  Paul Angus,  Shane Poole,  Bill Collier,  Will Bell,  Dylan Jones,  Ali Fothergill,  Jack Jones.
Subs: all used:  Tom Lowry, James Bulmer, Henry Cornforth.

Scorers:   Fothergill   1 try
                  Tenge        1 try
                  Jones    1 try
                  Poole          1 con