Withensea 1st - 39 – Malton & Norton 3’s – 30
Pat Lane
In the absence of our regular roving reporter Marcus who was so disappointed not to make the trip to Withernsea, yours truly steps in as cub reporter. Credit to the 18 Malton & Norton players who travelled all the way to sunny Withernsea.
Withernsea, probably due to their home advantage started the brighter but as ever Malton's defence from forwards and backs alike were not willing to yield to the attacks from the big hard running Withernsea side. In the tenth minute Malton were put on the front foot with a scything break by young promising prop, Rob Featherstone who had a fine game and after this display and a few more 80 minutes with the 3s will be ready to move up the ranks.
Due to Malton's excellent defending Withernsea resorted to taking three points from a penalty kick to opening the scoring. Malton were playing a lot of the rugby, but Withernsea were better at taking their opportunities and following a second penalty went over for the game first try. Despite the 13-point deficit Malton were playing some good rugby, driven on by the mobile forward pack lead by Phil North with great support from all including the back row of Ordidge, Marshall and Hume. Clarke at scrum-half supplied quality ball for the quick backs lead by captain Collins, however lapses in defence allowed Withernsea in again scoring two quick tries on the break. Malton fly half Palliser kicked Malton's first points which seemed to kick start Malton's recovery and straight away Collins scored Malton's first try which was converted by Palliser.
Unfortunately, Captain Collins had to come off injured just before half time to be replaced by Chris Scurfield who formed an impressive partnership in the centre with young Sam Page. At the end of the first half Palliser successfully converted another penalty leaving Malton trailing 13 – 25 on half time.
Withernsea with some good strong runs were rewarded with another try. Malton continued to try and play open rugby and were now moving the ball well with some excellent takes and breaks from fullback Joe Browne and the other backs and the team were rewarded with a well finished try by Brad Spiller, Malton's young hooker. Malton's forwards were now dominant sending the bigger Withernsea pack backwards at every scrum, however what happened next turned the game when the home side called for uncontested scrums due to a mysterious illness in the front row.
At the end of the first half the momentum was with the visitors and Malton believed that with the slope and a slight wind advantage could take this game. Malton started the second half strongly and it took an excellent defensive effort from the home side to keep them out however Malton were rewarded when Featherstone sprinted in for a try which got Malton within seven points.
The momentum of the game was lost but Malton did not help themselves by gifting the home side possession under their own posts which resulted in two tries. However, this side never give up and managed the final score with a well-deserved try for the hard-working Kev Smith at second row, which was converted by Palliser to leave the final score at 39 – 30 to the home side.
This was another encouraging performance from Malton who gave a good Withernsea side a close run and even they admitted the result could have gone either way. Possibly Malton's slower start gave the home side a good cushion which was difficult to come back from. This crop of players is developing all the time and should carry this into their upcoming matches. The 3s are at home to Goole this Saturday in what should be an excellent afternoon at the club with all three men’s senior teams at home.
