Malton and Norton RUFC

POOR DISCIPLINE COSTS MALTON DEARLY!

Not since the closing weeks of the 14 team league in season 21/22 have Malton found themselves in 9th place after a game that was full of expectation against our local rivals. What unfolded was at times bewildering, bizarre, and downright frustrating as a plethora of yellow cards  was awarded against both outfits, but it was the penalty count of 3 to 1 against Malton that proved to be the decisive factor.
On a fine warm day Scarborough took the kick off playing towards the town and with initial possession took play to the host’s red zone with the no8 stopped just metres from the line. In the 4th minute the first penalty of many was awarded to Scarborough and converted by the former Moortown no10 Carroll.  0-3
The visitors continued their assault on the Malton 20 metre zone with Stephenson to the fore in stemming the tide. To the large crowd’s dismay skipper Triffitt was yellow carded for a stiff arm tackle in minute 10.
Scarborough continued their attack on the Malton whitewash but were guilty of profligacy in the following 10 minutes when the extra man was in the clear on several occasions.
In the 20th minute Triffitt trotted back onto the field as young Packer passed him on his way to the dugout for the technical offence of not retreating at a penalty award and impeding the ball carrier within metres of the penalty mark.
In the 20th minute Malton lost the influential Stephenson to an ankle problem with young Jones the replacement.
Malton were reduced for 20 consecutive minutes to 14 men but it took Scarborough all of 16 to unpick the Malton defence with a 5 pointer.  0-8
The restart was marked by the first of 4 “shankings” of the dropout in the game and just as Malton were restored to full numbers they gave up yet another penalty in a similar position to the previous conversion on the half hour. Carroll made no mistake.  0-11
It was now Scarborough’s lack of discipline that cost them 3 points via the boot of Poole to at last get Malton on the scoreboard in the 33rd minute followed 4 minutes later with a well worked try out of defence with Bulmer combining with Poole who drawing his man, gave Collier time and space to beat two men to the try line dotting down over his head on his back as he was tackled. The young man is an exciting prospect for Malton as his pace and strength belies his stature.  10-11
However with an almost inevitable twist Malton gave up the final penalty of the half and Scarborough kicked to the corner. From the resulting line out and 2nd phase ball their lock forward strolled over for 5 points only on the stroke of half time.  10-16

Malton kicked off the 2nd half again a “miss hit “but recovered enough to find themselves in the visitor’s red zone, but no reward. Minutes later with play at the other end scrambled defence by Collier kept the visitors out as Scarborough knocked the ball forward with the line at their mercy. Malton took the scrum and cleared their lines. More indiscipline followed and Malton found themselves once more defending their try line giving up for a change a free kick. The visitors pressured but a knock on gave Malton the put in. The relieving kick from the scrum failed to find touch and the counter attack from Scarborough opened up the Malton defence like a tin opener attacking a can of beans.  10-23
The restart was taken by Poole as regular first five eighth Bulmer was withdrawn and even he had difficulty finding his length. Malton’s self control was by now somewhat erratic and giving up a penalty fully 35 metres out in the 60th minute the visitor’s newly signed no10 confidently placed the ball through the uprights.  10-26
Proceedings now were not far off becoming a farce as Scarborough were reduced to the number of players normally associated with our sister game as two yellow cards were waved in their faces by the exasperated Durham Society referee in minutes 62 and 64.
Malton in the Scarborough 20 metre area with plenty of time wasted chance after chance, throwing overhead passes at player’s feet or directly into touch and sometimes well forward. No sooner were Scarborough returned to full strength another yellow card was produced for a no arms tackle. Malton were reduced to playing a starting lock forward for a large proportion of this half at inside centre. With time running out to collect a possible two league points Malton sent Collier in for 7 points to bring to a conclusion a frustrating afternoon from a Malton perspective with the coach dragging his men rapidly towards the privacy of the changing room after the final whistle.
Next week we will be at newly promoted Wetherby for a 3.00pm kickoff.

MALTON:  Nick Salisbury,  Harry Alngohuro,  Ben Boothman,  Eddie Browne,  Charlie Reed,  Olly Owuor,  Tom Lowry,  Sam Triffitt (c),  Paul Angus,  James Bulmer,  Alex Packer,  Jacob Stephenson,  Archie Johnson,  Bill Collier,  Shane Poole.
Subs: all used,  Peter Hopkins,  Henry Cornforth,  Jack Jones.

Scorers:   Collier  2 tries
                  Poole    2 cons,  1 pen