Old Brodleians 40 - 32 Malton & Norton
17 points from James Bulmer not enough in the end.
Second half Malton rally in vain.....
James Knock
The rain from the west ceased in time for the final 3.00 k.o. till the Spring, giving a good surface at Woodhead, bright low sun from one end of a pitch that slopes evenly and gently across from one touch line to another thus giving the possibility of a game of two halves, and so it proved.
Malton’s core travelling support, shorn of the Watsonian group of regulars whose sat navs appear not to function beyond Y0 30 witnessed a dramatic comeback by Malton to give the Brod’s shed something to chew on.
Brods opened the scoring on 2 minutes their powerful pack providing ball for a sweep to the left involving 11 players to put their fullback over the line for 7 points.
Brod’s pack ominously shoved Malton for two early scrum penalties in the opening exchanges and it is to young Ted Hughes’s credit that thrown in at the deep end he did not fold.
A feature of the opening half was Malton’s 70% territory and possession and on 10 minutes Bulmer converted a penalty to put Malton on the board.
Further encampment on the Brod’s line yielded nothing and it was only the breakouts on 13,17 and 26 minutes that gave the hosts their efficiently taken 19 points to add to the early score,the tries scored by a clever, nimble, and fleet footed fullback.
Malton had a penalty or two within range and decided to go for the line outs in the corner rather than the 3 points. However on 35 minutes they decided to take the 3 on offer rather than batter away fruitlessly at the Brod’s line.
Bulmer collected a yellow card on 40 minutes and Brods took full advantage scoring 7 points immediately to end the half 33-6 to the good.The clear skies now played into Malton’s hands and despite two kick offs going dead the use of the slope and the low sun in Brod’s eyes was to Malton’s advantage and meant that most of the action took place in Brod’s bottom left hand corner.
On 45 minutes Salisbury went over for 5 points only to be countered immediately by a 7 pointer, Brod’s only points of the half.40-11 and opinion as to whether Brods relaxed too much or Malton raised their game dramatically depended on which Riding one called home.
The 60 minute mark brought a strong break from skipper Triffitt and choosing to use the rapier rather than the bludgeon a delicate sliding kick from the no8 and a good bounce gave Angus a straightforward run in to the corner for a try brilliantly converted up the slope by Bulmer( rumoured to have briefly borrowed a theodolite from the vice chairman). With 18 points in the bag and possession and territory well above the 60 % mark this injected a belief in the squad and the impetus to chase the 23 points needed.
Any attacks by Brods were snuffed out at source by the devastating chop tackling of the backs especially Bell who relished the challenge and dislodged ball on more than one occasion to effect a turnover, thus keeping them on the back foot and inside their 30 metre zone.
On 65 minutes a trademark intercept try by Bulmer converted by himself further reduced the deficit to 15 points and with plenty of time to chase the possibilities on offer Malton upped their game another notch or two and on 74 minutes a converted Triffitt try gave them a try bonus point and an 8 point margin to overturn.
Brods now worried with six minutes on the clock and injury time to be added plus a man taking a team yellow card put the shutters down and to their credit game managed the remaining 8 minutes to bring matters to a close hanging on to a win they deserved courtesy of their stout red zone tackling and the conversion into points of every breakout in the first half.
Malton should be proud of the 2nd highest points scored so far against the league leaders and the highest scored to date at Woodhead.In summary this was a fine effort after last week by this squad missing several regulars and should put fire in their collective bellies for the visit of Durham City in two weeks time.
A chance to mend sore bodies, train and bond together, believe in themselves and earn a place in the top 7 of this highly competitive league.Malton: Ali Fothergill, Matt Clarke, Will Bell, Tom Foan, Jacob Tweddle, James Bulmer, Paul Angus, Nick Salisbury, Chris Owen, Ted Hughes, Will Dunn, Sean Emms, Will Hughes, Tom Lowry, Sam Triffitt (c)Subs: John Lumley, Tom Barker, Charlie Read, (all used).Scorers: Nick Salisbury 1 try Paul Angus 1 try Sam Triffitt 1 try James Bulmer 1 try, 3 cons, 2 pens.
Just like to add a big well done to all the ex Maltonians playing nationally and internationally this weekend, Tom for Wales, Will for the Chiefs, Tat, Rachel and Bianca for Gloucester, Tim down in Jersey, Cameron and Freddie who featured for the Falcons on Thursday and not forgetting Morwenna at Loughborough who's currently rehabbing.
Malton & Norton 18 - 7 Hullensians
Malton show unity to gain 4 valuable home points
Rob Featherstone
Looking to build on last week’s victory over Scarborough the 2s, a strong 20 man squad was named on Wednesday to face Hullensians but come Saturday morning and as usual the team reduced in numbers to 17 then at kick off to 16 men after Lummers and Matty Clarke were promoted to the 1s. James Dempsey became unavailable and Congratulations to Jake Starbuck and his Mrs who welcomed a young lad in the early hours of the morning.
Nevertheless a youthful line up took on a similar looking Hull team. Malton welcomed George Turnbull back after his 2 year recovery and Tyler Hodgson who was looking as sharp as before despite playing out of position.
Kick Off
Malton kicked left to right with the sun in their faces took the decision to run the ball straight up the middle on every occasion off 9 and made good yards with James Boyes and Connor Page dangerously working hard from the base of the rucks and scrums. Despite plenty of pressure the first 15 minutes remained scoreless.
The early scrum dominance started to pay for Malt who moved to the ball to backs who now were looking to attack the space in front of them. Hull saving a certain try for Josh Wainwright by tackling him into touch only for the hooker to overthrow and the ball to land into Turnbull’s hands who dived over for 5 points.
Try Con Missed 5-0
Turnbull
The rest of the half was very much the same with the scrum pressure and terrific defence not allowing Hull out into our half with young guns Luke Humphreys, Will Hicks and Luke Smith working overtime to secure the ball on the floor. With half time looming Malton started to feel the pressure to press home another score but this resulted in a couple of mistakes and Hull gained some field and possession.
Half time 5-0
After a calm word or two including to relax and play our game Malton recovered kick off and almost scored off first phase ball with Boyes and Hopkins both busting through holes in midfield, a ruck infringement resulted in a kick to the corner and Boyes to go over after an impressive catch and drive.
Try Con Missed 10-0
Boyes
The realisation of the game plan was plain to see and the lads started to get into the correct position to attack the space outside 10 Sandow, but standard practice of the last pass going wrong or someone dropping the ball started to creep in. A few words from 2nd team mainstays Williams and Embleton seem to galvanize the backs and in the very next play Weatherill finding Sandow who NFL style fed Thompson and the running back made all of 60m before being dragged down but our quick ball went through the hands and found Wainwright waiting on his wing with space to attack went over in the corner for his try.
Try Con Missed 15-0
Wainwright
20 mins to go Malton were tiring in and around the tight giving Hull plenty of air and space to run into, a handful of penalty resulted in Boyes going to the bin. Only a good covering tackle by Skaife and some big hits stopped a try and allowed Malton a breather for a little while. Hull using some telegraphed runners eventually broke our line and went over for 7 points 14 to go.
Try 15-7
Hullensians
Malt replied with a big push up field looking for the bonus point to secure the win 10 mins to go an overzealous clean out left James Wood a chance to put one over right in front.
Penalty 18-7
Wood
Malton ended the game as they started well on the front foot and were denied a BB after good hack through by Connor was followed up by Josh Weatherill who tried to do his best Will Witty impression but looked more like Massimo Maccarone booting the ball further away and through the deadball line.
All in all a good competitive game against a good team best of luck to Hullensians and thanks for travelling over.
Luke Humphreys named our MOM
- WILL HICKS
- LUKE HUMPHREYS
- PETER HOPKINS
- HARRY SKAIFE
- GEORGE TURNBULL (T)
- LUKE SMITH
- CONNOR PAGE
- JAMES BOYES (T)
- JOSH WEATHERILL
- RHYS SANDOW
- JOSH WAINWRIGHT (T)
- ADAM THOMPSON
- JAMES WOOD (P)
- NICK EMBLETON
- MATTY WILLIAM
- TYLER HODGSON (60mins)
Pocklington 40 - 12 Malton & Norton
John Ordidge (center) with a sterling game for the 3s
Pocklington 40 Malton & Norton 3s 12
Pat Lane
A much-changed Malton & Norton side put up a brave display against an experienced and well organised Pocklington side.
Thanks must go to the new guys (Luke Cowton, Jake Knaggs and James Smith) who stepped in at the last minute so that we could travel with a full team and two subs. Despite the score line Malton forwards dominated throughout and this game was won through the hard running well organised backline which opened Malton up on the flanks.
Playing against the wind in the first half Malton had to dig in and win hard yards however Pocklington aimed to spread the ball wide at every opportunity and inevitably the tries started coming. Malton pack continued to put Pocklington under pressure particularly in the scrum with Martin Watson having another fine display at tight head prop, well supported by Jake Newsome and Phil North in the boiler house and Leon Cook and Josh Watson in the back row, veteran Tim Casey came on after 20 minutes and slotted in well although out of position at Number 6.
George Lumley was very lively at hooker and tackled and competed throughout. Mr Utility John Ordidge tackled all afternoon as did twinkle toe outhalf Nigel Tench who never gave up trying to get his backs on the front foot and captain Stu Collins lead by example and carried hard and tackled himself to a standstill.
Malton’s never say die attitude was rewarded just before half time when a scintillating Tench break put the promising fullback Finn Tumman through for a try under the posts which was converted by Tench.
Malton had the wind and a strong low sun behind them for the second half but the chatty Pocklington backs were in no humour to take their foot off the pedal and extended their lead with two more tries. After another injury in the front row the game went to uncontested scrums but to Malton’s credit they contained Pocklington to only one further try.
Malton’s perseverance was rewarded when lively John Ordidge blocked a clearance kick on the Pocklington line and outhalf Tench outpaced the defence to touch down for Malton’s second try.
Although this was a tough away fixture Malton never gave up and should be proud of their efforts which bodes well for the rest of the season.
Next week Malton are on the road again this time against Hull Ionians with the earlier kick-off at 2.15pm
