After a hopefully hectic and enjoyable Christmas and New Year we get back to a normal Saturday on 8 January, the first home league fixture of 2022, when we play Heath. When we played them back in September at Halifax it was a close game with Malt hanging on for a 15-20 victory. Therefore we expect another hard tussle in the return fixture.We do not have a sponsor for today’s game and consequently I have been tasked with selling as many tables as possible. You will all be sick and tired of turkey, so why not join us for a hearty meal of Lana’s roast beef and Yorkshire pudding with all the usual accompaniments. The cost is £25 per head for a 2 course meal, to include admission to the game and I am sure you will have a most entertaining afternoon. Kick off will be 2.15 pm and lunch will be served at 1pm with the bar open from midday. Please let me know as soon as possible how many places you wish to reserve. We can cater for groups of 10 people on round tables and higher numbers on a limited number of tables. Do not worry if you want a single place or any number of places, we can accommodate you. Payment can be made on the day but I can provide bank details for anyone wishing to pay upfront.We also hope to have our Honorary Life Members in attendance but Chris Creber is doubtful for some unknown reason.My contact details are as follows.Mobile 07790 516588Landline 01653 692675Email johnmachin5@gmail.comI look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on the day.John Machin
MALTON FIGHT TO THE FINAL WHISTLE
JAMES KNOCKLooking at the stats for both sides this was always going to be an interesting encounter. Ilkley have led the league most of the season, never lower than 4th place even with a game in hand. Malton have scored an average of 32 points per game, Ilkley 38, so a high tally of points was anticipated.
The first 33 minutes of the game disproved the theories of the statisticians Malton scoring 9 against Ilkley’s 6 points.
The game opened with a perfect Malton kick off and a superb hit on the Ilkley catcher. This set up field position and on the third minute Malton had a chance at goal narrowly missed.
Seven minutes later with Ilkley penned in their half another penalty this time was struck cleanly by Poole to open the scoring.
Ilkley hit back from the kick off and paid a visit to Malton territory. A turnover ball gave Malton chance to clear their half and Poole’s kick went deep but the late challenge resulted in a penalty from where the ball had bounced and 3 easy points on 15 minutes.
The sign of a good outfit is the ability to hit back quickly and on 18 and 20 minutes two penalties were slotted by the Ilkley 10, one for offside, the second for holding on, and to this point Ilkley had hardly seen the ball.
Two minutes later Malton converted another penalty awarded when Triffitt pressured Ilkley into holding on after a trademark tackle. 9-6 to Malton and both teams whitewash unblemished!
From a poor field kick by Malton the Ilkley winger turned Malton’s 14 and 13 inside out to gain 20 metres up his wing. Now with field position Ilkley upped their game and a late challenge on 27 minutes gave them a penalty line out on Malton’s 5 metre mark but a crooked throw put paid to the intended rolling maul.
With Ilkley now scenting blood Malton yielded 3 penalties on the bounce but no yellow card and on the 33rd minute the defensive line was caught out for the home 12 to stroll in for 7 points .On 40 minutes Ilkley again camped on the Malton line were denied by dropping a line out ball and to Malton’s relief the half time whistle was blown with the game nicely in the balance.Ilkley kicked off and an unfortunate dropped ball gave them position and possession and a breakout in midfield was halted by a reflex collar grab, no yellow card but another 3 points to the hosts.Malton were now on the defensive with Ilkley kicking to the corners and their pack providing quality ball for the no10 to shovel on to the wreckers in the 12 and 13 jerseys and on 53 minutes another 3 points were given up to the accurate boot of the home fly half.
However Malton collected themselves together and a visit to the Ilkley red zone saw Hughes driven over for a well deserved converted try after his sterling work of the opening 60 minutes driving upfield when the opportunity arose.Twenty minutes left on the clock, 19-16 , game on.
The kick off from the above try was unfortunately dropped and from the resulting scrum the dangerous Ilkley 12 took advantage of a missed tackle to cross Malton’s line for his brace, converted on 61 minutes to make life more difficult for the visitors.
Five minutes worth of pressure in the Ilkley scoring zone came to nothing and a speculative kick pass failed to hit it’s intended man and was caught by the Ilkley winger whose line kick took Malton back on defensive duties. Moments later a little shove in the back by a Malton player gave Ilkley another penalty after a mass brawl but they failed to capitalise.
Malton rang the changes with Lumley and Lowry giving way to Ted Hughes and Barker. But from the next scrum Ilkley fed the winger who scuttled untouched down his wing for 25 metres for a 7 pointer which effectively put the game to bed with seven minutes left on the clock.
Bell gave way to Tweddell on 75 minutes and Malton with a last throw of the dice had the last word putting Fothergill over wide out in the floodlight free gathering gloom for 5 points only with Poole guessing where the bottom of the ball was as he attempted the conversion.
Next week with a game in hand over our 5th placed opponents Cleckheaton and only 7 league points splitting the two clubs, could prove to be a pivotal encounter as we approach the halfway mark of the season.I look forward to a large crowd as Xmas Shopping should be completed by now and any late presents can be ordered online!Malton: James Bulmer, Jacob Stephenson, Will Bell, TomFoan, Ali Fothergill, Shane Poole, Paul Angus, Nick Salisbury, Bailey Lamb, John Lumley, Will Hughes, Charlie Read, Jacob Head, Tom Lowry, Sam Triffitt (c).Subs: Ted Hughes, Tom Barker, Jacob Tweddle, ( all used).Scorers: Poole 3pens, 1 con. W. Hughes 1 try. Fothergill 1 try.
