MALTON FIGHT TO THE END
James KnockThird placed Malton started the game as possible kingmakers with the top two sides Moortown and today’s visitors running neck and neck towards the finish line, but now that role has passed to our neighbours Scarborough and or Pocklington.
With the weather wreaking havoc on fixtures south of 54 degrees North today’s game was one of two survivors in Regional 2 North East.Malton kicked off towards the town and a good start put early pressure on the visitor’s line and an early chance went begging as a loose pass found touch. Keeping the collective feet on the pedal Malton drove skipper Triffitt over the line only to be adjudged held up.
In the seventh minute a loose hack by Pontefract bounced kindly for Fothergill who ran from his 20 metre line to the opposition red zone and the ball going through several pairs of hands found Barker who gratefully dived over to add to his season’s tally and 5 points only.
From the restart Bowman took the ball back to the halfway mark with his customary leg drive and Malton’s no 10 put up a steepling high ball which just lacked the distance for would be tacklers to run on to and gave Pontefract possession which they put to good use. Now monopolising the ball their skipper at outside half showed his talents with a perfect kick pass the full width of the pitch for his winger to collect and two phases later their no 7 drove over for a 7 pointer.
Pontefract now showed why they have come through Yorkshire One last season and are challenging for this league title by maintaining pressure and ball retention with a solid display from their pack and patiently waiting to pounce. This they did on 30 minutes when their skipper at no 10 sold a dummy and accelerated to the home red zone putting his no6 in for another 7 points and a score of 5-14.Over the next 10 minutes Malton took control but despite valiant efforts could not break the visitor’s defensive line and the score remained at 5-14.
One aspect of the opening half was the volume of the multiple appeals to the referee coupled with numerous pairs of outstretched arms from the visitors at every breakdown which can be construed as unsporting behaviour and only serves to pressurise someone who has given up his afternoon to ensure that we have a game of rugby.The kick at the restart went directly into touch and from the subsequent scrum on halfway Malton advanced to the Pontefract 30 metre mark but prop Featherstone was pinged for one roll too many after the tackle. From the resulting penalty the hosts were pegged in their 20 metre area and Pontefract at full throttle moved the ball from side to side and both home wingers and the fullback were called upon to put in some last ditch tackling.
From a line out in this period of play Pontefract stole a home throw in and moving the ball swiftly their no13 scampered over for an unconverted try and a score line of 5-19.Not to be outdone by their first try Malton now put together the try of the afternoon with a move initiated by a strong run out of defence by Stephenson and quick recycling by Emms and Triffitt was followed by a miraculous one handed catch by Barker again in the right place at the right time and after a transfer or two through another couple of players Angus gratefully and theatrically dived under the posts for a 7 pointer. Malton back in the game with the score at 12-19 with 20 minutes on the clock.
In the 72nd minute another accurate kick pass from the visiting 10 set up a bonus point try for the Pontefract full back to complete the scoring and the roars of delight coupled with some eye popping and fist pumping from the players and their large band of supporters demonstrated how important this try and result was to their club.
Malton should take credit for playing their part in an absorbing contest when all 18 members of today’s match squad (not forgetting Tristan Armitage who suffered a freak accident in the warm up cutting his hand rather badly) fronted up and gave the visitors a good contest with Barker taking a well earned M.O.M. award in the clubhouse afterwards.
Next week we are at home again to fulfill a fixture lost to the the weather in mid January and Old Brodleians our visitors from Hipperholme, Halifax will make their second journey of the season to the Gannock where they will be looking for a result to possibly put them in the top half of the league table.Malton: Ali Fothergill, Conor Miller, Ed Lockwood, Tom Foan, Will Bell, James Bulmer, Paul Angus, Nick Salisbury, Matt Bowman, Rob Featherstone, Will Dunn, Sean Emms, Thomas Barker, Tom Lowry, Sam Triffitt (c).
Liam Vaughan, Charlie Read Jacob Stephenson (all used)Scorers: Barker 1 try Angus 1 try Bulmer 1 con
