Malton and Norton RUFC

MALTON REFUSE TO LIE DOWN

James Knock

With the 1st team season shuddering to an early conclusion last weekend, it was the turn of the U23’s in a hastily arranged game at the Gannock with local rivals Scarborough to showcase their talents after only one training session as a unit.
On a fine but cold afternoon Scarborough kicked off towards the Old Malton end and in the opening five minutes their backs looked very lively with quick accurate spin passing a feature. It wasn’t long before they opened the scoring with a converted try.  0-7
Ten minutes elapsed before Malton via a penalty kick to touch first visited the Scarborough 20 metre area. The ball was given up after several phases and a Scarborough lock forward ran the ball out of defence all of 65 metres to score an individual try brushing aside some feeble would be tacklers.  0-14
Malton’s reply with their forwards now starting to provide ball and getting on level terms with the opposing eight, was instantaneous as they set up their midfielder Stephenson for a 7 pointer.  7-14
On 19 minutes the visitor’s no12 made twenty metres up the stand side and the plentiful support put the ball through 3 phases before a score wide out.  7-26
Two minutes later a bemused Malton could only stand and watch as the visiting no8 bullocked his way all of 25 metres to the whitewash.  7-26
Tackling or rather a lack of it was becoming an issue and as a direct consequence Scarborough sent another man over the line in the 30th minute.  7-33
Three minutes later and against the run of play Stephenson scored his 2nd try of the half.  14-33
On the stroke of halftime Scarborough’s healthy lead was increased by another try, 14-38, as coach Featherstone gathered his protégés round him for a halftime pep talk and a reminder that the contest was not over.

It would be fair to say that Scarborough looked better drilled in most departments and despite the frequent calls for more “tempo” from the technical area things from a Malton perspective looked a trifle flat.
In the opening 20 minutes of this second half Scarborough perhaps thinking a 24 point lead was sufficient went into their shell only to emerge with 2 rapid fire scores in the 60th and 62nd minutes.  14-52
In the 68th minute Bradshaw who had run strongly all afternoon from fullback earned his reward with a well taken try running 30 to 40 metres up the stand side evading several tackles for 7 points.  21-52
Still with a mountain to climb and very little time on the clock Malton set about salvaging some pride as Finlinson swept up the stand side and cleverly delivered an offload out of the back of his hand as he shielded his support runner Tumman who had a clear run in.  28-52
With the final whistle in the offing the Malton pack who had worked hard the bulk of the afternoon delivered to Tumman who had a clear run in for his second try.  33-52
A worthwhile exercise this afternoon to look at the club’s future, and indeed present, as five or six of the home lineup have tasted first team rugby .
Thanks must go to Scarborough for providing the opposition, the referee with his whistle, the two linesmen, club physio Linda, groundsman Bob Woodhouse, Christine and her staff behind the bar, and above all  Rob Featherstone without whom this afternoon would not have taken place.
As already mentioned several of today’s squad have and are tasting 1st team rugby and games such as witnessed today provide an opportunity to encourage, assess and make note of Malton’s future players.
One would hope that when possible this U23 age group could look to increase their fixtures with other local clubs, especially when home from college, university etc, and plugging the several gaps in the 1st team’s league fixtures .

The season isn't over yet join the Super Twos this Saturday at Pocklington as they take on Hullensians in the East Yorkshire Final — kick-off at 3:00 PM.  Make a full day of it! Come early to catch the Merit Table Final beforehand, with Beverley 2nds facing off against Driffield 4ths at 1:00 PM.  Two great games, one great afternoon of rugby — come along and show your support!

MALTON:  Shaun Bruce,  Harry Alngohuro,  Tom Milton-Wright,  Will Walker,  Sam Crosthwaite,  Adam Mortimer,  Byron Marshall,  Henry Cornforth,  Theo Hoggard,  Adam Finlinson,  Henry Wilson,  Fred Stephenson,  Ben Brambles,  Tommy Smith,  Max Bradshaw.
Bench (all used):  Harry Mortimer,  Tom Easterby,  Finn Tumman.

Scorers:   Stephenson   2 tries
                  Bradshaw   1 try
                  Tumman   2 tries
                  Finlinson   4 cons