MALTON STAGE SECOND HALF COMEBACK
James Knock
Scatcherd Lane in recent years has not been the happiest of hunting grounds and after 40 minutes the runes were not exactly reading in the visitor’s favour.
Malton kicked off on a perfect dry day with a slight breeze and a good surface. The hosts in the opening few minutes were in control especially at line out and provided good ball for their backs to test the visitors early on. In the fifth minute it was Malton’s turn to break free with Stephenson chipping down his line and a good bounce set up a line out on Morley’s 22 metre line. A technical offence gave Malton a penalty on the 15 metre tramline and there now ensued a process which had the vociferous home crowd in turn puzzled, frustrated and eventually quiet.
Malton chose to take a scrum having earned a penalty on the opening scrum of the afternoon and 8 penalties later all awarded to Malton on the same spot, the until now patient referee having sin binned the hapless home prop had no option but walk to the uprights and award a penalty try on 15 minutes. 7-0
Momentarily silenced the crowd erupted when the Morley winger collected a Bulmer cross kick intended for his 5’ 4 “ winger Upton by simply reaching above the aforementioned’s head, collecting the ball, and galloping in for 7 points. 7-7.
Malton’s reply was instantaneous and a move upfield involving several pairs of hands with all passes safely delivered and caught resulted in Stephenson storming over in the 20th minute for 5 points only. 12-7
Minutes later the other Morley prop was shown a yellow card and there was now a question of could they fulfill their obligations at set piece in the front row.
This they did and more, earning a penalty in minute 34 to move the score to 12-10.
A period of poor quality kick tennis ensued and when the ball eventually came to earth on the home 22 metre line Malton were on the attack with nobody at home in defence.
A turnover and a well-placed kick put the speedy home fullback in for a 7 pointer against the run of play. 12-17
The first scrum of the second half resulted in another penalty for Malton who had introduced Featherstone at halftime to turn the screw on the opposing eight. In the 45th minute Malton kicked to the home corner and set up camp with the result of another yellow card against the home front row on minute 49. Scrums now for a period became uncontested which is never a palatable sight on a pitch where a physical contest is part and parcel of the game of rugby union.
From a set piece (scrum) on 50 minutes the ball was moved wide for Foster to cross the whitewash and bring the score to 19 -17.
Two minutes later an offside decision gave Morley a shot at goal well struck from 30 metres out and the lead again. 19-20
Three minutes on a poor pass in midfield was dropped and Morley broke out from the resulting set piece (scrum) to score under the posts. 19-27
Moments later Morley were back to full strength with a prop now filling the hooker’s berth.
Perhaps with thoughts of the previous two games in their minds Malton pulled themselves together for the remaining quarter and upped their game and reaping the rewards of their dominant scrummage closed in on the home red zone and after a phase or two Boothman was the beneficiary of a 7 pointer in the 60th minute. 26-27
Eight minutes later with his eye on the clock Bulmer attempted a long range penalty kick which fared no better than a drop goal attempt moments earlier.
Again after another power scrum 30 metres out and with 10 minutes on the clock the ball was moved wide to Stephenson and another clever chip kick earned a line out 5 metres out and making no mistakes a clean catch and drive resulted in Salisbury emerging ball in hand after 4 phases and 7 points to the good. 33-27
The last action of the game saw Morley knock on from a scrum and Upton who had already put some vital tackles in earlier on in the game scooped up the loose ball and beating three men to the line dived over to show watching supporters his capabilities from close range, securing a 7 pointer thus denying the home side a losing bonus point and giving Malton much needed boost to morale before next week’s visit from Old Crossleyans.
Malton: Blair Foster, Javan Upton, Will Bell, Tom Foan, Jacob Stephenson, James Bulmer, Paul Angus, Nick Salisbury, John Vasconcelos, Ben Boothman, Will Dunn, Darren Leggott, Charlie Read, Tom Lowry, Sam Triffitt (c).
Subs: Rob Featherstone, Sean Emms (both used)
Shane Poole (not used)
Scorers: Stephenson 1 try
Foster 1 try
Boothman 1 try
Salisbury 1 try
Upton 1 try
Penalty Try (7 points)
Bulmer 4 cons
Malton v Hullesians 29-10
Tries
James Boyes
Connor Biggins
Penalty Try
Charlie Tindall
George Turnbull
