WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES
James Knock
The soul searching and strong language from their skipper at the conclusion of last week’s performance had the desired effect this afternoon on the squad when Goole two places and three points above Malton were the visitors.
But firstly thanks must go to the 51 year old front rower Ed Gwilliam who answered the call to arms and put in a solid workmanlike 60 minute shift at the coal face. The contract for next season awaits his signature!
A fine breezy afternoon and a firm surface saw Malton kick off towards the football end and with immediate pressure in the Goole red zone a quick penalty tap and go put Emms over the line in the third minute for seven points. 7-0
Five minutes later Malton’s no10 scored an outrageous solo try from 30 metres out bamboozling several would be tacklers. 12-0
There followed as expected a period of ten minutes with the visitors contesting the middle of the pitch and in the eighteenth minute they set up shop on the home line and three minutes later their forwards powered over to put them on the scoreboard. 12-5
With Malton’s young fly half now showing his range of skills including delicate chip kicks off either foot with one deliberately placed on the outside of the boot, position was gained in the Goole red zone and with a couple of finely executed flat passes he sent Stephenson over the whitewash for another five points in the 25th minute. 17-5
Eleven minutes later Tenge making one of his all too infrequent appearances left several defenders grasping thin air as he twisted, twirled and turned on his way to the line just before halftime. 24-5
Despite the score line Goole as expected now came into the game and hit back in the 44th minute after Malton had eschewed a kick to the corner from a penalty award and took a quick tap and go. The visitors turned over the ball in the tackle and swept to the other end of the pitch and took 7 points. 24-12
On 50 minutes a back chat yellow card for Stephenson put his side under pressure and Goole spent the next 15 minutes hammering away at the Malton lime wash but stout defence kept them at bay with Goole at one stage guilty of not utilising a clear two man overlap.
In the 65th minute and with Stephenson still on the side lines Goole eventually broke through for 7 points and back in the game at 24-19.
Two minutes later Goole earned a yellow card and Malton made the most of the extra man sending Featherstone over after a penalty catch and drive line out. 29-19
Goole were not finished and back up to full numbers kicked deep into Malton’s 20 metre zone where the home defence tried to run it out with only 3 minutes remaining on the clock. However a swift follow up from the visitors with a tackle and turnover put a visiting heavyweight in position to rumble over near the sticks for 7 points and all to play for. 29-26
With one minute to go Malton earned a penalty within range and Angus stepped up to take the points and put the game to bed after what had been a thoroughly absorbing and entertaining afternoon. 32-26
With a guaranteed top 5 place in the table the squad will complete the league programme at Rochdale on April 6th with a trip to Bridlington the following week in the Papa John Cup.
Malton: Triffitt (c), Gwilliam, Hughes, Emms, Dunn, Tenge, Lowry, Wainwright, Angus, Jones, Upton, Foan, Stephenson, Jefferson, Fothergill.
Subs: (all used) Featherstone, Johnson, Hopkins.
Scorers: Emms 1 try
Jones 1 try
Stephenson 1 try
Tenge 1 try
Featherstone 1 try
Angus 1 pen, 2 cons.
