Four weeks ago I asked people to check the club website or phone Russell Stead (the golfing absentee) to ascertain kick off times etc for the home "fixtures". I apologise for not following the instructions myself and consequently missed the first 30 minutes of this evenings gathering with our neighbours Pocklington as guests.
However as the half time score line of 26 - 0 indicates Malton were comfortably controlling matters with scores coming at regular intervals through Ali Fothergill x2, James Bulmer, Will Bell, Shane Poole adding 6 points and Paul Angus 2.
The second half was a different story with Pocklington securing enough possession to spread the ball wide and set up scoring opportunities themselves.
On 45 minutes Bell displayed his speed and power to score his second try with Poole adding the extras. Pocklington hit back on 50 minutes for a 5 pointer.
In the 65th minute Bulmer showing he has an eye for a gap and the ability to accelerate over three or four metres scored a fine try, Poole adding the 2 points.
Pocklington replied in emphatic manner displaying their wares with their forwards churning back good ball in workmanlike fashion and aggressive running from their threes yielding 14 points to deservedly lead the half 19 -14.
With five minutes left on the clock veteran referee John Hill awarded Pocklington a plethora of penalties in Malton's red zone and the boys did well to keep them at bay. On 78 minutes against the run of play Angus scored with Poole adding the extras to finish the half 21-19 in the hosts favour and the full score 47-19.
A feature of the second half was the speed and inventiveness of the Malton backs in what is admittedly an artificial form of the game without scrums.
It was pleasing and interesting to see players who could not make the previous sessions display their various talents, Liam Vaughan, Tom Hoggard,and John Vasconcelos whose studies take him to Glasgow but if registration allows will always be welcome when home if only to put pressure on the hooking berth. Can the coach persuade Ben Burridge to delay his place at College in the land of the free and carry on working at a local school, thus enabling him to display his undoubted pace and talents in our back division.
All in all a heartfelt thanks to all at the club, players and our staff, visitors Pocklington, referee John Hill who enabled us to taste near normality in this difficult period.
It was wonderful to see the club fulfilling it's raison d'être and I fervently hope that the powers that be have the pandemic firmly under control so that we can resume normal rugby with scrummaging at Moortown on Sept 4th for the opening league game, and the mouthwatering prospect of entertaining local rivals Driffield a week later at the Gannock. The league fixtures are available on rfunorth.com
