MALTON OUTGUNNED
James Knock
Rugby can be a fickle mistress and so it proved today. One has to go back to October of last year to find a similar losing margin when Malton suffered a 31 point defeat at Bridlington. Today’s opponents reversed the 32 point defeat they suffered at Malton’s hands in February of this calendar year as well as reversing the double defeats of last season.
On an immaculate free draining pitch Malton kicked off with the weak sunshine on their backs. In the 3rd minute Selby’s no10 showed his kicking accuracy with an inch perfect 15/22 kick to touch. One minute later after Malton conceded their first penalty of the day Selby took the line out drove the few metres and fed their prop who peeled round the unguarded front for a copybook 5 points. 0-5
Malton now shook themselves up and it was on 10 minutes that the above scorer earned a yellow card for cynically killing Malton’s ruck ball. Bulmer closing his ears to the barracking from the noisy age grade pre-match curtain raisers high in the stand slotted the three points. 3-5
Both sides were initially coughing up penalties but Malton in the early stages were on top up front and gave Angus good clean ball for him to twist and turn making several quality breaks and some hard metres.
It was from one of these breaks that he started a move that led to Malton’s only try with Bell the beneficiary after a well placed grubber kick through by Johnson and Bulmer adding the extras. 10-5 after twenty five minutes.
Two minutes later Read was carded and Selby took full advantage clocking up 3 tries and 19 points at regular intervals up to half time, their fast backs now displaying their wares and demonstrating why their squad is leading the league with an all-round display of control up front and sheer pace in the back five. 10-24
Malton introduced Starbuck for Read at half time and he tightened proceedings up a fraction with some direct running and strong tackles. Malton had opportunities but a combination of poor decision making and lack of basic support play for the ball carrier leading to him being isolated and at the mercy of Selby’s jackallers who gorged themselves on a feast of turnover ball. Combined with poor passing and simple knock forwards when the three quarters had a move lined up it was a frustrating watch for the visiting supporters.
One bright spark of light in the gathering gloom was the introduction of last year’s colt’s no9 Simpson on 60 minutes who fizzed about showing speed of thought and action constantly looking for gaps and trying to put some energy into the team.
However Selby wrapped up a miserable afternoon from a Malton perspective with tries in the 57th, 62nd and 71st minute the last one a 7 pointer.
The final insult to injury was the sight of Malton being marched back 10 metres in the final minute for unnecessary and pointless backchat.
January 6th sees us at the Gannock when bottom placed Glossop are the visitors and gives the squad opportunity to draw breath and regroup.
It remains for me to wish everyone at the club a happy and enjoyable Xmas and all the best for 2024.
Malton: Rob Featherstone, Nick Salisbury, Ben Boothman, Will Dunn, Jamie Rounthwaite, Charlie Read, Tom Lowry, Sam Triffitt(c), Paul Angus, James Bulmer, Jacob Stephenson, Blair Foster, Will Bell, Javan Upton, Archie Johnson.
Subs(all used): Peter Hopkins, Jake Starbuck, Rohan Simpson.
Scorers: Bell 1 try
Bulmer 1 con, 1 pen.
