MALTON IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE
James Knock
Fielding a much changed match squad from last week Malton took to the field with an interesting new axis of Triffitt and Foan at 9 and 10 respectively.
Defending the football end Malton initially were on the defensive with Brods using their heavyweight forwards in midfield which the hosts dealt with almost as a matter of routine.
In the fifth minute Fothergill set up a position in the Brod’s red zone but lack of cohesion by the home pack gave up a turnover and penalty.
Two minutes later a strong burst from veteran Vaughan and quality recycled ball set up Lowry to dot down and a conversion from Foan put Malton on the scoreboard.
With the regular no10 missing (lost in Europe) skipper Triffitt took on the line kicking duties and put forward a very strong case for retaining this particular brief in the remaining games of the season.
In the fourteenth minute the home eight took the visiting pack to the cleaners for the first of several occasions throughout the eighty minutes and perhaps put the thoughts of an easy afternoon in the Malton mindset.
Brods threatened on occasions and with only seven points on the board to date a long kick through by their no10 was treated somewhat casually by the defending winger and he was caught and turned over giving up a penalty. Brods kicked to the 5 metre mark but their line out went awry and Malton came away with the ball in hand and relief etched on their faces.
In the twenty first minute Fothergill made a trademark break down the clubhouse touch line and linked with Lowry but Tenge who had been left with little time and space in which to manoeuvre was dragged into touch 2 metres short. From the line out Brod’s relieving kick found touch 30 metres out and the quick thinking Tenge threw the ball in immediately to Fothergill who brushing aside several defenders linked with a queue of supporting players with Bowman ending up as the recipient of 5 points and Foan adding the extras.
The next score came in minute 38 when the visiting no3 crashed over to take the score to 14-5.
With two assessors watching, the ref, who had already been warning both skippers decided on action with his cards and issued one to Malton in minute 33 followed by one 5 minutes later to Brods.
On the stroke of half time Malton with plenty of possession strung together several phases with Miller and Foan going close in the red zone and recycled ball found Emms who generously set up Lowry for his brace and a lead of 19-5.
On resumption following a Malton penalty kick to the visitor’s corner on the stand side the ball was spun down the host’s three quarters in perfect training ground mode which had coach Crockett purring on the touch line and Stephenson strolled over wide out for 5 points only.
Two minutes later the unfortunate Briggs with a leg injury gave way to Turnbull.
Malton now in cruise control mode set up a try for Bell via Fothergill and the score advanced to 29-5. With both regular goal kickers absent conversions from wide out were a bit of a lottery despite the fine efforts of Foan and Bowman.
The rugby as an entertainment was becoming a trifle stolid with the occasional try and yellow card helping to enliven proceedings!
In the fifty third minute Brods took advantage of a Malton yellow card and after 5 minutes camped on Malton’s line their no3 was bundled over for 5 points and a score line of 29-10.
Eight minutes later Bowman was the beneficiary of a good break by Stephenson who linked with the home no15 and when he was brought down Brods coughed up a penalty which Bowman tapped quickly and wrestled his way over to complete his brace and the score moved to 34-10.
In the 66th minute the referee again had recourse to the contents of his pocket and issued yet another yellow card to Brods and at the same time Malton’s grafter Emms gave way to Skaife.
Three minutes later Dunn benefited from considerable pressure exerted by the Malton eight to add his name to the score sheet 39-10.
With the aforementioned hurting his shoulder Emms after the briefest of breaks was pressed back into service followed 2 minutes later by veteran Coates who was greeted by a loud cheer as he relieved Featherstone.
In the 76th minute Brods scored their third try through their no6 duly converted but from their point of view left little time to get a try bonus point in their battle with Morley, Crossleyans, Selby and possibly Dronfield for a finish in the top half of the league.
The scoring was completed by Fothergill in trade mark style brushing off some lightweight tackles with Tenge who had waited several times for a scoring pass to come his way throughout the 80 minutes, grabbing the ball to convert his teammate’s try thus getting on to the scoresheet and bringing the final tally to 46-17.
Please check the club website for next week’s game as there is uncertainty about it taking place, and also keep a weather eye out on the site for the cup draw in April when the league season is completed.
Malton: Ali Fothergill, Ben Tenge, Will Bell, Connor Miller, Jacob Stephenson, Tom Foan, Sam Triffitt(c), Liam Vaughan, Nick Salisbury, Rob Featherstone, Sean Emms,
Will Dunn, Elliot Briggs, Tom Lowry, Matt Bowman.
Subs (all used) Harry Skaife, George Turnbull, Dan Coates.
Scorers: Lowry 2 tries
Bowman 2 tries
Stephenson 1 try
Bell 1 try
Dunn 1 try
Fothergill 1 try
Foan 2 cons
Tenge 1 con
