MALTON U17 Colts 20 PONTEFRACT U17 Colts 15
JAMES KNOCK
MALTON TAKE THE SPOILS
Malton’s supporters arrived at Doncaster Knights in their droves including a minibus containing 17 ageing former players who had enjoyed a circuitous trip via an Argentine steak house. The dessert served up at the ground was well worth the journey.
Pontefract kicked off in perfect conditions after a slight delay as the match ball provided was rejected by their no10. The replacement ball being deemed satisfactory the match got under way and Malton watched as the ball bounced into touch. Pontefract took possession from the line out and for the next four minutes put Malton under extreme pressure in their red zone until skipper Owuor effected a turnover and broke free resulting in Malton advancing into the opposition’s half. Earning a penalty Jones deftly placed it into touch 20 metres out. However an overthrow at the lineout put paid to territory gained and a minute later Pontefract had a shot at goal that sailed wide.
Both sides were prepared to run the ball initially and with Malton’s no10 settling into his game after 10 minutes he started to use his kicking game to good effect earning good territory and ensuring his pack were running forward chasing the ball. On 13 minutes the opening scrum of the game demonstrated that Malton’s eight were the equal of a larger Pontefract pack.
On 20 minutes Malton were in the opposition’s red zone pressurising and earning a kickable penalty. Ignoring the potential 3 points on offer a short move was taken which came to nothing.
In the 25th minute Pontefract’s prop was shown a yellow card for taking a man beyond the horizontal in the tackle and with the extra man Malton took immediate advantage putting Packer in for the opening 5 points of the game.
Three minutes later following a good turnover in the Malton half of the pitch Jones put up a high ball and with Packer winning the contest in the air and securing the ball he galloped fully 30 metres to score his brace and put his side 10 points to the good.
With 7 minutes to half time Pontefract threw everything at Malton who withstood the battering and a good touch finder by Jones looked as if it would see his team through to halftime. Pontefract had other ideas and following an infringement at the line out they put a shot at goal through the uprights to finish the half 7 points adrift and all to play for.
The second half got under way with Malton introducing a substitute or two under the rules of the cup competition whereby all of the squad must play a certain amount of game time. Immediately Knaggs fresh off the bench made one or two important carries to keep Malton on the attack and provided impetus to his fellow pack members resulting in Pontefract being pinned in their 20 metre area.
In the 48th minute Malton were awarded a penalty 15 metres out and using a set move they drove to the Pontefract red zone and after 8 phases scored wide out with Dawkins the beneficiary going over in the corner taking the score to 15-3.
Now in control Malton again camped in the Pontefract half and in the 57th minute seized the game by the scruff via a clever kick pass from Jones to put Bradshaw who had to jump and compete for the ball over again wide out, bringing the score to 20-3.
Pontefract were not finished and with Malton just fading a little with tired legs and maybe the thought in their minds that a 17 point margin was sufficient the spectators were treated to several minutes of kick tennis. Pontefract won the territory battle and in minute 59 their midfielder with a lovely show of the ball turned his would be tackler inside out and strode over under the sticks to make the remaining 11 minutes more interesting with a 10 point margin.
Malton were stunned 2 minutes later when the quick thinking Pontefract 9 took a quick tap penalty and raced unmolested through a somewhat lackadaisical defence for 5 points to make the final 9 minutes a nail biter for spectators and players alike.
The final whistle came with Malton on the attack and all 19 players in the red, white and black club colours deserved the victory after the tense final minutes.
Malton Colts: Jack Redshaw, Alex Packer, Harry Dawkins, Ben Brambles, William Collier, Jack Jones, Rohan Simpson, Muntasir Kabila, Harry Alngohuro, William Walker, Mathew Simpson, Sam Crosswaite, Henry Cornforth, Tom Gray, Oliver Owuor(c).
Subs: all used, Max Bradshaw, Aiden Moore, Robert Knaggs, Digby Blenkin.
Scorers: Alex Packer 2 tries
Harry Dawkins 1 try
Max Bradshaw 1 try
The following players have contributed in the effort to reach this final: Lucus Oxley, Oliver Simpson, Henry Wilson, Callum Cass, James Stone, Harry Mortimor, Ben Cressey.
Team Manager: Andrew Walker
Head Coach: Richard Jones
Forwards Coach: Paul Cornforth
Physios: Jacqueline Hodgson, Linda Van Roo.
Malton and Norton RUFC wish to thank Doncaster Knights for staging the game and the S.Yorks referees society for providing the match officials.
Next Saturday 29th April we are hosting Wharfedale Foresters v Billingham 2nds kick off 14.30 hrs. Do come and enjoy the game and ensure a warm Malton welcome to our guests.
