Boxing Day 23' will go down in history for been the first Ian "Johno" Johnson memorial game for the newly aquired shield to honour the afore-mentioned Malton & Norton Founding member.
Johno would of been proud of the amount of young uns towing up and ripping in. Malton Higghlanders came out on top after some sterling performances from Henry Cornforth, Tom Ray, Oliver Owuor, the Turnbull lads and big James Boyes in the pack.
The Winning Squad Malton Highlanders
BackRow, John Lumley (manager), Will Ennis, Callum Cass, Ben Hickes, Rory Bevin, James Boyes, George Turnbull, Josh Raines, Henry Cornforth, Luke Humphries, Oliver Owuor, Tom Ray, Adam Finlinson.
FrontRow Charlie Read, Paul Sykes, Nick Wilks, Rob Featherstone, Paul Angus, Javan Upton, Lewis Welch, Blair Foster, Mark Muankeaw, Ed Browne.
Norton started strongly and led within 5 minutes crossing on the blind after some strong midfirld running from Mikey Casey, Jacob Stephenson and Byron Marshall. Malton replied through some power drives by the forwards before James Boyes carried two would be tacklers over the tryline with him and dotting dowm. Wasn't until 3 minutes before half time Malton got over again the ball moving from 9 to 10 now with eased allowed quick ball to be shipped to Javan Upton to step and dive over on the right wing.
Norton finished the half strongly but desipte going over were held up. Wise words from both Skippers were given at half time but it was Malton who came out of the blocks quicker 5 or 6 phases got them deep into Nortorn terrority but faled to capitalize after a untimely knock on.
Paul Angus was next to score for Malton, following quick lineout the ball was shipped right to left before Angus picked and went on the blind to drive over and sprint to the posts. 19-5
Norton reply was almost instant a Malton scrum midfield was shipped to 10 Blair before his pass was picked off by the sharp footed Rohan Simpson to dive over on the left 19-10
A quiet spell then ensued with both teams making good runs but nothing to show for it. Lummer instructed Malton to start playing with more width and almost instantly it paid off with Tom Ray picking off the Norton winger alongwith Oliver Owuor and Ed Browne were making strong runs deap in behind Norton. Tom was the next to cross following a midfield intercept and a 1-2 with Blair raced in from 22 to just about put the game to bed.
The final score was a classic backs score after a few midfield hit ups the ball was moved at speed to the right before returning to the left and Oli Owuor crossing followed by the final whistle.
33-10
Thank you to all who played and joined us on the terrece today. it part of the rugby tradition and it's brilliant you all want to be part of it.
Monet Johnson, Ian Johnson's granddaughter travelled up from Bourne to be part of this momentous game presented winning captain Blair Foster with the new Johno Memorial Shield which down the years will be contested by Malton and Norton on Boxing day..
Malton Highlanders are the first on the shield winning 33-10.
