MALTON KEEP THE PRESSURE ON THE LEAGUE LEADERS.
James Knock
A dry bitterly cold day greeted Malton at the picturesque Wagon Lane sports complex where the cricket square was in the early stages of preparation in anticipation of perhaps some warmer weather.
Showing 5 changes from last week’s starting line up the visitors kicked off proceedings and soon opened the scoring as Angus stole a loose ball at the second breakdown to send Fothergill over for 5 points only in the 2nd minute.
Five minutes later a good kick to the Bees corner from Bulmer earned a throw in for Malton. Two set scrums later and a darting run from Angus were followed by a Rounthwaite try this time instead of burrowing his way to the line he lay on his back reaching over to dot down for 5 points only and a score line of 10-0.
On 15 minutes it was skipper Triffitt’s turn to cross the whitewash from a line out and with Angus taking over goal kicking duties the score advanced to a comfortable 17-0 lead.
The Bees now entered the game and for 10 minutes ran the ball at their visitors and on 25 minutes crossed the Malton line only to have the try adjudged to have been held up.
Both sides were guilty of giving the referee too many chances to exercise his lungs blowing on his tin whistle, and the penalty count was entering double figures for both teams.
The next 2 scores came on 35 and 37 minutes respectively when Angus and Barker in that order finished off two length of the field sweeping moves for 14 points and a half time score of 31-0.
Games such as this often induce a lack of concentration and so it proved when on 45 minutes the Bees put a penalty kick into the corner and the subsequent line out saw a well drilled catch and drive take them over the line with their no5 claiming the score and a well drilled goal kick earning the extras.
At the same time Barker carrying a heavily strapped ankle gave way to Read.
The next 20 minutes were scoreless as the Bees upped their efforts and combined with Malton’s loose approach and the frequent sound of the whistle, the rugby from a spectator’s viewpoint was somewhat tedious.
However on 65 minutes the stand in veteran midfielder Collins (an example to all of why if you are enjoying your rugby one should aim to play in as high, team wise, as is possible) was set up to score with a couple of shows of the ball, one shimmy, and a remarkable turn of speed from 30 metres out to take his side to a score of 38-7.
Having earned his corn he gave way to newcomer Brambles (pictured,right). Five minutes later the sleeveless Bulmer dummying and wiggling his hips crossed for yet another of his now familiar close range tries.
The Bees still with some life left in tired bodies stuck to the task and good tackling by Malton kept them at bay but eventually the pressure told and the Bees no13 got his just reward for perseverance and a well converted try gave the home support something to cheer about and a score line of 45-15 in the 75th minute.
Malton were not quite finished and a goody break by Angus put youngster North (pictured, left) into the corner for a well converted try.
With the final whistle pending Triffitt intercepted a loose pass on his own 22 metre line and deciding that on balance his supporting no 10 had slightly more gas flipped the ball for Bulmer to cruise in for 5 points only and a score line of 57 - 14 gave Malton their fourth half century of the season to date, and with a 4th win in the calendar month they emulate September’s four win start to the season.
Next week a trip to our neighbours Pocklington and the anticipation of a tougher assignment that one would expect of a local derby.
Don’t forget KICK OFF will be at 3.00 pm.
Malton: Ali Fothergill, Ben North, Connor Miller, Stu Collins, Jacob Stephenson, James Bulmer, Paul Angus, Archie Armitage, Elliot Briggs, Rob Featherstone, Jamie Rounthwaite, Sean Emms, Tom Barker, Tom Lowry, Sam Triffitt (c).
Subs: (both used) Charlie Read, Ben Brambles. Alex Crockett (unused).
Scorers: Fothergill 1 try
Rounthwaite 1 try
Triffitt 1 try
Angus 1 try 6 cons
Barker 1 try
Collins 1 try
Bulmer 2 tries
North 1 try
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