HARD DAY ON HIPPERHOLME HILLSIDE
James Knock
With the stiff breeze abating ten minutes into the game to a negligible level, any advantage the home side sought playing down to the bottom corner of their hillside ground was reduced. This did not prevent an opening twelve minute onslaught from the hosts as they rattled up 19 unanswered points.
The first two tries were scored by the same winger on the top corner of the ground after Malton’s pack were brushed aside for the first score in the fourth minute. 0-5
The second try came three minutes later from a stolen line out and with Malton guilty of sliding off a tackle the no14 gobbled up his second try in the same corner this time well converted. 0 -12
Two minutes later the men in black paid only their second visit to the Brod’s 20 metre area and launched several attacks but could not penetrate a solid home defence.
On twelve minutes Brods cruised through a shaky defence for a third visit to the visitor’s whitewash with Malton looking somewhat shell shocked. 0-19
On 13 minutes Malton lost the services of prop Boothman to a shoulder injury and Taylor came off the bench to a warm welcome from his opposite number.
In the fifteenth minute Malton gathered themselves and paid only their third visit to the home red zone and with some good rucking and recycled possession the concerted pressure opened up a small gap for Poole to slide through for his team’s opening seven points. 7-19
The next fifteen minutes saw Brods apply the pressure and with Malton’s eight travelling backwards at one stage a full ten metres the dystopian nightmare of the opening quarter was not long in returning.
In minute 34 the Malton pack was ignominiously shunted over their line for the home no8 to drop on the ball and bring the score to 7-24.
Five minutes later the home hooker burst through the defending ranks and making thirty rapid metres selflessly delivered the scoring pass to his support who crashed over the line and with the kicker missing his third conversion attempt Malton were fortunate to end the half with the score at 7-29.
Malton came out for the second half with an improved mindset but unfortunately lost midfielder Stephenson who collected a stray boot in the face after a mistimed tackle on the touch line.
Malton to their credit reorganised with Bell returning to the action despite carrying an ankle problem and Emms had already replaced Dunn in the engine room at halftime with Bulmer coming on later at fullback.
In the 46th minute a visit to the home red zone yielded a converted try for Lowry 14-29
Ten minutes later Brods replied to take the score to 14-34.
Malton’s defence was now starting to click and good tackling kept several forays by the home heavyweights from crossing the line. One problem picked up by the referee was Malton’s tendency to cross in midfield thus giving up possession, position, and opportunity on more than one occasion.
In the 75th minute the home no2 repeated his first half burst but only ten metres on this occasion to set up Brod’s final converted try. 14-41
Just short of the final whistle Malton sent Rounthwaite over for a 7 pointer to out score the hosts by two points in the second half and gain some much needed self respect. 21-41
On paper of the remaining fixtures all but one club are situated below Malton in the league table, and with a bit of determination and commitment to availability the squad is capable of retaining a position in the top four of what is a competitive league from 1st to 8th place.
Next week the boys are down to fulfill a twice cancelled fixture at Goole and a win is a must to keep the heel snapping sides in 5th and 6th place at bay.
Please set your television recorders for the distractions at Murrayfield and Twickenham and make the trip to Goole to support your club.
MALTON: Nick Salisbury, John Vasconcelos, Ben Boothman, Charlie Read, Will Dunn, Jamie Rounthwaite, Tom Lowry, Sam Triffitt (c), Paul Angus, Shane Poole, Ali Fothergill, Tom Foan, Jacob Stephenson, Will Bell, Archie Johnson.
Subs: (all used) Jake Taylor, Sean Emms, James Bulmer.
Scorers: Poole 1 try 3 cons
Lowry 1 try
Rounthwaite 1try
