1 XV

Result 52 - 10

MALTON STAY ON TOP

James Knock

The departure of the morning rain coupled with a good looking surface, a fine testament to the groundsman Bob Woodhouse and his assistants, promised another afternoon for flowing rugby with Malton on the hunt for a result to maintain top league placing.

Our visitors Bradford & Bingley (Bees) kicked off and Malton playing towards the town were shortly breaking down the stand side via Bowman whose speculative chip kick fortuitously bounced straight back to him and setting up a ruck the ball was delivered to a charging Read and 7 points the result in the second minute.

Four minutes later following a mix up in midfield by the hosts and at the same time giving up a penalty, the kick to touch by the Bees put them in prime position and two phases later the agile 10 broke blind and jinked his way to the whitewash for 5 points only.

On twelve minutes after a typical bullocking run by Stephenson on the stand side Vaughan won a turnover to gain a line out penalty resulting in a peel by Donaghy who made ground and fed Angus with the resulting rapid transfer through the backs giving speed merchant Weatherill the space to run in a regulation 5 points only.

Three minutes later with a steady stream of possession, a platform was created for Foan to plough through several would be tacklers for 7 points and a score line of 19-5.

Minutes later Weatherill showed his talents and speed by following up a Bulmer kick out of defence to put the Bees no 15 under such pressure that a scrum resulted with the host’s put in. A promising position was nullified with a Malton back rower penalised for diving into a ruck moments later and sealing off.

On 23 minutes Bees earned a yellow card for a one handed intercept attempt and Malton capitalised moments later with a Bowman turnover fed to Lowry who twisted his way through several attempted tackles to take 7 more points.

Malton now in total command we’re not afraid to spin the ball wide for their wingers to demonstrate their differing styles. On 38 minutes with Malton’s no8 keeping the ball at his feet at the base of a scrum a fraction too long the Bees no9 nipped in and took it from under his nose. However he was turned over in the ensuing tackle and an inch perfect kick pass from Bulmer to his left winger Stephenson resulted in 7 more points and a half time lead of 33-5.

Malton were forced into an early change at half time with the injured Lowry giving way to Barker.

A good run by Jones early in the half set up Bowman who was well tackled thus disrupting the chance to move the ball wide. This coupled with a slightly worrying reappearance of one of last season’s demons, ie coughing up successive penalties, resulted in the game going a bit flat and wayward from the hosts point of view.

On 50 minutes Bees with some possession and position went wide and their benchman fresh on the pitch brushed off a somewhat casual tackle attempt wide out to take 5 points and the score line to 33-10.

Malton now swapped props with Salisbury giving way to Featherstone for his first appearance of the season.  A good breakout by the hosts via Jones well backed up by Vaughan saw a possible try held up over the line in the corner. Malton fielded the subsequent drop out and put Stephenson in for 5 points only.
Moments later a clever chip and collect by Bulmer just outside his own 22 metre area was fed to Foan who had a clear run up the stand side but it became apparent that mission control had omitted to fuel up his afterburners and he was collared by the defensive cover.

In an effort to pep things up Malton introduced their final benchman Coulson with Weatherill taking a well-earned break. His presence was quickly felt when after a kick by the Bees, well taken by Jones, he took the pass and making 35 metres heading for the sticks he had the presence of mind to link up with Read who appeared from nowhere on the charge to complete his double in the 69th minute.

Malton now chose to display the talents of the mobile Featherstone who picking up a loose ball charged all of ten metres like a baby rhino at the opposition linking up with another direct runner Lockwood who unselfishly put Stephenson in for his hat trick and the final score of the game completing a satisfactory afternoon for the hosts and retention of top place in the league on 19 points out of a possible 20.

Next week the boys are at Bridlington currently in 3rd place on 12 points, and it goes without saying they will welcome your support.

Malton:  Dylan Jones,  Jacob Stephenson,  Tom Foan,  Ed Lockwood,  Josh Weatherill,  James Bulmer,  Paul Angus,  Nick Salisbury,  Ryan Donaghy,  Liam Vaughan,  Ted Hughes,  Matt Bowman,  Tom Lowry,  Sam Triffitt (c).

Subs: (all used) Rob Featherstone,  Thomas Barker,  Harry Coulson.

Scorers:   Read   2 tries
                  Weatherill   1 try
                  Foan   1 try
                  Lowry   1 try
                  Stephenson   3 tries
                  Bulmer   6 cons.

2 XV Result