Malton and Norton RUFC

HOME FORM HOLDS GOOD!

Not even the threat of storm "Jorge" named by the meteorological department of our former European partner in Madrid could put the Ryedale outfit off their stride in a much anticipated local derby.
A 10.00am pitch inspection confirmed that the game was on and with the stiff breeze behind them Malton kicked deep into Pocklington territory and Malton's pack immediately took up the cudgels taking the game to the Pocklington forwards. Good early pressure gained a penalty 25 metres out and just wide of the uprights the attempt at goal hitting the crossbar and rebounding into the arms of former Malton hooker Thornton who laid it carefully back only to see the pass for the relieving kick put down by his no10. Malton seized on the advantage and moments later Rob Featherstone barged over for a 7 pointer on 10 minutes.
Minutes later the aforementioned Thornton was helped of the pitch by three Malton players with a serious knee injury requiring a trip to hospital.
Malton rang the changes early introducing Liam Vaughn and Ben Tenge to the forwards which strengthened an already impressive performance by the pack who had contained the much heavier Pocklington eight for the opening 20 minutes.
On 26 minutes a penalty attempt by Malton drifted wide but now camped in the Pocklington 25 metre area the pressure seemingly unnerved the Pocklington forwards and frustrated they coughed up a series of penalties and a kick to the corner put Malton in pole position on the try line. Pocklington held firm and cleared their lines but in the process lost their heavyweight no8 former Malton junior Britland to a yellow card on 35 minutes. He tellingly sat out the remainder of the game.
The large crowd at half time were left musing if 7 points was enough or insufficient depending on which club colours they were wearing.
Pocklington now had the wind advantage and it wasn't long before their no10 put it to good use pinning Malton in their back yard and on 46 minutes the above kicked 3 points as Malton clung onto the ball at breakdown. From the restart Malton put themselves deep into Pocklington territory and their replacement no8's attempts to take the game to Malton were snuffed out by solid tackling of utility player Ben Tenge and regular flanker Tom Lowry backed up by stand in skipper and no8 Matt Bowman. A vital turnover by Tenge on 50 minutes put Malton in the scoring zone with the ball in hand and 2 minutes later Pocklington earned a 2nd yellow card through their no12.
From the resulting penalty Malton chose to take a tap ball and hooker Bailey Lamb feigned a dummy, made vital ground and set up a ruck for Bowman to pick up and drive over for a 5 pointer on the 55 minute mark.
Pocklington still had the belief that they could get something out of the game despite the control that Malton exercised up front and converting a penalty on 60 minutes following a yellow card for Malton hooker Lamb they had made the game a possible draw or with conversion a narrow win.
On 65 minutes Pocklington earned a 3rd yellow card but were still in the game and took play to the Malton whitewash. Two successive penalties kicked to touch were repelled and on 72 minutes a crucial turnover was gained by Bowman to clear the lines and give Malton the chance to manage the remaining 8 minutes and earn the much deserved 4 league points. A magnificent forward effort well marshalled by stand in skipper Bowman with solid defensive work from the backs earned this result in what was always going to be a close encounter with our local rivals.
Next week Kendal and I am led to believe the charabanc will leave the clubhouse at 10.00am for players and supporters for an overnight stay and the chance to sample the delights of Cumbria's county town. Please check with our chairman concerning all arrangements.

Malton:  Will Bell, Ali Fothergill, Tom Hoggard, Jacob Stephenson, Paul Angus, James Bulmer, Chris Inman, Nick Salisbury, Bailey Lamb, Rob Featherstone, Jack Hobbs, Charlie Read, Tom Hume, Tom Lowry, Matt Bowman (c).

Subs:   John Paul (JP) not used,   Ben Tenge, Liam Vaughn, (both used).

Scorers:   Rob Featherstone 1try,   Matt Bowman 1try,  Paul Angus 1con