HATRICK HERO FOTHERGILL LEADS THE WAY.
James Knock
Malton with six changes to last week’s starting line-up received the kick off with their backs to the football end on a dry overcast afternoon with a small enthusiastic crowd in attendance, the delights of Wales v Ireland a possible counter attraction.
Selby came strongly out of their blocks showing at the first line out that their tall jumpers would have few problems on their own throw in. The second scrum of the game in the fifth minute yielded the first score when a loose ball from the set piece was snapped up by the Selby no8 who crossed over wide out for 5 points only.
The restart failed to go the requisite 10 metres and as a result put pressure on the home pack at the subsequent scrum. Minutes later the unfortunate Finlinson left the field when his legs appeared to fold under him and Barrett replaced him earlier than anticipated.
Shuffling their resources Malton got into their stride and Bulmer carrying on from his display of last week sold 3 dummies and worked his way through weak defence to the line from 25 metres out to put his team on the board with 7 points in the 13th minute.
Seven minutes later Malton lost their hooker to a yellow card diving over and taking out the visitor’s no9. With the numerical advantage Selby scored in the corner through their no2 to lead 10-7.
Malton soon redressed the balance when Rounthwaite finished off a strong burst from Barker who had punched above his weight driving through several defenders for 5 points only.
Play at this stage was going from end to end with the hosts using high ball from Bulmer to chase and harass, whilst Selby used long probing kicks for territorial gain.
On 29 minutes with the home forwards now in the ascendancy and providing plenty of ball a strong run from Stephenson put Fothergill in the clear to use his pace and power beating 3 men and completing the scoring for this half in the 30th minute giving his side a useful half time lead of 19 points to 10.
Malton changed a prop at half time with Armitage who is rapidly learning what is required of a 1st team prop giving way to the veteran Vaughan who wasted no time in demonstrating that age is no barrier to a member of the front row trinity at this level. His support play, tackling, and set piece work was nothing short of exemplary and a fine example to younger team mates.
Selby opened the scoring in this second period with the no8 collecting his brace by finishing off a 40 metre move through some rather indifferent tackling to bring the score to 19-17 in minute 55.
The expletive laden words of advice from the experienced Malton skipper who was playing in his 350th 1st team game for the club could be heard in the stand and galvanised his team as the next half hour was all Malton with scores coming at regular intervals.
On 59 minutes Browne weaved his way past 2 men 50 metres out and off loaded to Angus who making good ground delivered to Fothergill who turned the last defender inside out and scored under the sticks. 26-17.
Three minutes later Bulmer put in a centimetre perfect kick to the corner all of 40 metres long which bounced into touch 3 metres off the Selby whitewash and Malton were now taking total control with 80 percent of the ball.
In the 63rd minute a 40 metre move was started by Fothergill who went to ground and the omnipresent Vaughan picked up and fed Bowman who found Lowry in space to storm over and stretch the lead to 33-17.
Minutes later the Selby no5 was shown a yellow card for a cynical and dangerous trip on Malton’s playmaker Bulmer. The hosts took advantage and with Browne again making good ground he found Angus who linked with Fothergill for him to cross the line and complete his hat trick. 40-17.
In the 72nd minute Browne who had been gaining confidence all game showed his potential to score an individual try from 20 metres out and the scoreboard registered 47-17.
Selby kept their heads and earned a try bonus point with a bench replacement scoring a 5 pointer with 3 minutes left on the clock.
With players starting to cramp up Vaughan looking for more action picked up a loose ball and fed Angus who completed the scoring with a 7 pointer and give Malton their 3rd half century of the season so far and a final score of 54 points to 22.
Next week the boys are on the road to Scatcherd Lane, Morley who lie in 8th place 16 points adrift of ourselves and at the danger of repeating myself I know they will welcome anyone who can make the 80 minute journey to support and cheer them on.
The top 6 places in the league are now starting to stretch out but a slip up or two could see positions changing and a drop of a place or two is always in the background, but the last two week’s performances give the club the confidence that a top 3 finish is there for the taking with only 7 league games remaining.
Malton: Ali Fothergill, Adam Finlinson, Jacob Stephenson, Stuart Collins, Eddie Browne, James Bulmer, Paul Angus, Nick Salisbury, Matt Bowman, Archie Armitage, Jamie Rounthwaite, Charlie Reed, Tom Lowry, Tom Barker, Sam Triffitt (c).
Subs: all used: Liam Vaughan, Ryan Donaghy, Caleb Barrett.
Scorers: Bulmer 1 try 7 cons
Rounthwaite 1 try
Fothergill 3 tries
Lowry 1 try
Browne 1 try
Angus 1 try
