Report
MALTON PULL AWAY IN SECOND HALF.
James Knock
Percy Road has seen many encounters between these two local rivals and they mostly produce a game that sticks in the memory bank.Today’s encounter especially the first half might not live up to those previous memories.
Malton received the kick off and within minutes were inside the Pocklington red zone and an early penalty award within range was disdained and a set scrum was chosen which failed to produce the projected points.
The first 20 minutes provided some fairly hum drum rugby with the home eight meeting anything thrown at them. Malton had sufficient ball to create but passes that found touch instead of the intended receiver and other inaccuracies did not advance their cause. Strange to say the use of a high ball used to good effect in Malton’s recent games was notable by its absence.
On 18 minutes Pocklington earned a penalty which their goal kicker duly converted to open the scoring. Malton at the same time were forced into an early change with Featherstone replacing Armitage.
Malton’s chance to level the score came in the 30th minute and skipper Triffitt wisely directed Angus to take the points.Three minutes later Malton took the lead with another penalty and with half time beckoning looked content to close out the half to regroup and seek the advice of their coach.
On the stroke of half time Pocklington levelled the score to 6 apiece brought a dour first half to a close.The second half opened with an unconverted try by Tenge on 48 minutes after the Malton pack had driven to the host’s line and the eight forwards were now starting to show their known capabilities with Bowman’s strength and leg drive leading the way. Five minutes later when offered a penalty within range Triffitt chose pragmatism directing Angus to slot the points thus making a two score chase at minimum.
Pocklington were now starting to wilt under the heat delivered by the visitor’s eight and Barker went over on 60 minutes for 7 points and with the scoreboard registering a 15 point lead to Malton the runes were reading in their favour.
On 65 minutes Pocklington for some reason chose to convert a penalty and take the score to 21-9 and this was the signal for Malton to up their game and turn the screw.
Two minutes later a dominant scrum with Triffitt controlling at the base shoved the home eight rapidly backwards a distance of 15 metres towards their line and presented Angus with a simple 7 pointer.
Now in total control and living up to their billing Malton via Featherstone,Dunn and Bowman took play once again to the hosts red zone and with a yawning gap in the defence Foan needed no second invite to stride over the whitewash and extend the lead to 35-9.
On 76 minutes Tenge showed his strength powering over for 5 points only to complete Malton’s contribution to the afternoon’s proceedings.Pocklington however had the last word and their big 2nd row Logavatu crashed for a consolation try and a final score line of 40-14.
With a 3rd place in the league a minimum guarantee we are back on home ground next week with a game in hand on our visitors Pontefract. With only an 8 point gap between the two clubs and a possible permutation or two the chance to finish 2nd in the table could go to the wire.Malton: Ali Fothergill, Ben Tenge, Conor Miller, Tom Foan, Ben Brambles, James Bulmer, Paul Angus, Archie Armitage, Matt Bowman, Nick Salisbury, Will Dunn, Sean Emms, Tom Barker, Tom Lowry, Sam Triffitt (c).Scorers: Angus 1 try, 3 cons, 3 pens Tenge 2 tries Barker 1 try Foan 1 try
