James Knock
Tthe referee and both clubs deserve praise for agreeing to play this game on a pitch that might not have been acceptable in a league title chase.
A much changed Malton galloped into a 15 point lead after 25 minutes with two tries from Featherstone who was coming back from a two and a half month layoff and 5 points via the boot of Poole.
The first try came after Emms was yellow carded for a seat belt tackle in the fifth minute when not withstanding his absence the Malton pack powered over the home whitewash with the aforementioned Featherstone the beneficiary in the twelfth minute. 5-0
Goole were leaking penalties and five minutes later the redoubtable prop rumbled over again after he himself took a quick tap penalty 5 metres out. 12-0
In the 25th minute with Goole still on the wrong side of the whistle skipper Triffitt pointed to the uprights and Poole found a patch of ground with grass on it to grip his studs and provide purchase and 30 metres out he calmly collected the 3 points. 15-0
One could label the next 15 minutes as a shellacking for Malton but ground conditions, whilst the same for both outfits, played a huge part as Goole scored 4 tries in minutes 27, 31, 35, and 37 to lead at half time 15-24 with a try bonus point in the coffer.
With coach Crockett absent his deputy Richard John gathered his men round and his words restored some equilibrium to his charges.
On resumption Malton took the chance to reduce the deficit with a Poole penalty in the 44th minute. 18-24
Eleven minutes later Goole replied with a 5 pointer. 18-29
By this stage of proceedings the underfoot conditions were making play and progress up and down the pitch a bit of a lottery, exemplified when Angus trying to collect a regulation high ball close to the touch line found his right foot sliding from under him thus depositing him on his backside in the mud.
However in the 60th minute stand in hooker Salisbury peeled off a rolling maul and scored a solo try from all of 4 metres out well converted from wide out to put his team back in the hunt. 25-29
With 10 minutes left on the clock and the pitch deteriorating rapidly coupled with tiring legs Triffitt directed his kicker to take 3 points and perhaps ensure at minimum a losing bonus point. 28-29
Goole however had other ideas and in the 77th minute muscled their way over the euphemistically named whitewash for a 7 pointer to make it an 8 point gap. 28-36
Not to be outdone Malton with one last effort travelled down to the home end and sent Lowry over for 5 points only to ensure with his try 2 league points and a final score of
33-36.
Next week a home game with a 3.00pm kick off when we entertain Morley. See you at the Gannock!
Malton: Peter Hopkins, Nick Salisbury, Rob Featherstone, Jamie Rounthwaite, Sean Emms, Tom Lowry, Ted Wainwright, Sam Triffitt (c), Paul Angus, Shane Poole, Alistair Fothergill, Blair Foster, Jacob Stephenson, William Bell, James Bulmer.
Subs: Javan Upton, Byron Marshall, ( both used)
James Bulmer (not used)
Scorers: Featherstone 2 tries
Salisbury 1 try
Lowry 1 try
Poole 3 pens 2 cons
