University of Hull 20 - Malton & Norton 3s 26
PAT LANE
Malton and Norton 3s made it four victories on the bounce with a hard-fought win against a very competitive University of Hull side. As expected, the students game plan was to run the visitors around the pitch, committing very few to rucks and aiming to spread the ball wide at every opportunity. Maltons defence which is now becoming a prized part of their game were never going to allow the students through and repelled attack after attack, the students eventually taking three points from a penalty which should be taken as a mark of respect for the excellent Malton defence. The game stayed at 3-0 until just before half time until flying winger Jordan Smith dashed 50 metres to outstrip the student defence and score under the posts, the conversion confidently knocked over by Captain Collins. Maltons forwards again put in a great shift in repelling wave after wave of attack, excellently lead by Machin at No 8, Hickes, Leckenby, Skaife, Smith, Wilks and Stephenson playing his first game for Malton seniors all took the game to the students never taking a back foot.
The second half carried on at the same frenetic pace with Malton now playing with a strong breeze, but this did not deter Hull who continually tested the Malton defence, the pressure told and a mix up on Maltons line allowed the students in for a very dubious try when the referee declared that Malton had not grounded the ball. This seemed to spur Malton on and some excellent breaks from backs Harry Coulson and Rob Armitage well supported by O Shea, Ordidge and Wetherill continued to punch holes in the student defence. A move straight off the training ground produced the try of the day finished off by Collins to give Malton a well-earned four-point lead. The students then lost one of their props and rather than allowing the game to go to uncompetitive scrums young Kieran Milton Wright in his first appearance for Malton seniors agreed to play for the opposition to keep the game alive. The excellent Collins playing the captain role breached the student defence again for his second try. The game continued to ebb and flow, and the students were rewarded with a well worked try from a very accurate cross field kick to the winger who finished off the try which cut Maltons lead to only two which was never going to be enough to hold on for victory. Malton could still not finish off the determined students and some sloppy defence gave Hull a penalty which they converted for a one-point lead in the dying minutes.
This Malton side had no intention of going home defeated and worked their way up the field and were rewarded with a penalty almost in front of the posts. Realising this would be the last play of the game and after much mathematical discussion they realised a kick would give them victory so decided to run it! Captain Collins showing his confidence in Maltons attack finished the game with the winning try. Try hat-trick Collins (so close to receiving a certain club lifetime award if the try was not scored) happily kicked the conversion.
What a win at the death and credit to all twenty players, forwards and backs alike, those playing out of position who travelled and played the game as it should be played.
Next game is on Saturday at home to Goole and there is no reason why we cannot earn another victory this time in front of our home supporters.
The Result also moved our 3s to the top of the merit table.... Keep it going Lads.
After a hopefully hectic and enjoyable Christmas and New Year we get back to a normal Saturday on 8 January, the first home league fixture of 2022, when we play Heath. When we played them back in September at Halifax it was a close game with Malt hanging on for a 15-20 victory. Therefore we expect another hard tussle in the return fixture.We do not have a sponsor for today’s game and consequently I have been tasked with selling as many tables as possible. You will all be sick and tired of turkey, so why not join us for a hearty meal of Lana’s roast beef and Yorkshire pudding with all the usual accompaniments. The cost is £25 per head for a 2 course meal, to include admission to the game and I am sure you will have a most entertaining afternoon. Kick off will be 2.15 pm and lunch will be served at 1pm with the bar open from midday. Please let me know as soon as possible how many places you wish to reserve. We can cater for groups of 10 people on round tables and higher numbers on a limited number of tables. Do not worry if you want a single place or any number of places, we can accommodate you. Payment can be made on the day but I can provide bank details for anyone wishing to pay upfront.We also hope to have our Honorary Life Members in attendance but Chris Creber is doubtful for some unknown reason.My contact details are as follows.Mobile 07790 516588Landline 01653 692675Email johnmachin5@gmail.comI look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on the day.John Machin
