Malton and Norton RUFC

James Knock

Despite the attraction of Aintree on the television a good sized crowd chose the Gannock for their Saturday afternoon sporting fix, and were not disappointed.
Rochdale kicked off towards the town and after a knock on by Malton there followed six minutes of constant pressure by the visitors before the home side escaped from their own end of the pitch.
Moving the ball left Bell made good yardage down the clubhouse side and following a Rochdale error and a scrum 3 metres out Triffitt made no mistake with a regulation pick up at the base twisting his way over the line for a seven pointer.  7-0
On 12 minutes Malton were back in the visitor’s red zone with a line out 3 metres out but Rochdale managed to splinter the attempted catch and drive and a certain 5 points went begging.
On 18 minutes Malton lost their influential midfielder Bell with a badly broken nose as a stray Rochdale knee slid on the bone dry turf into contact with the above mentioned player’s face. Pegrum slotted in at fullback with Johnson moving into midfield. Two minutes later whilst Malton were still readjusting their back division Rochdale’s tricky left winger started a move just outside his 20 metres line linking up with several players and the resulting score was credited to their no seven.  7-7
In the 26th minute Bulmer mesmerised the Rochdale defence with 3 pumps of the ball and released Stephenson with a perfect pop pass to steam in under the uprights.  14-7
Five minutes later following successive penalties the visitors put the ball into the corner and from the line out a straight forward catch and drive yielded 5 points.  14-12
With halftime looming Stephenson again making good yardage chipped the ball over the defence for Atkinson to chase and with Rochdale giving up a penalty Bulmer after a nod from his skipper slotted the three points.  17-12
The visitors not to be outdone, with a penalty award pending scored a try wide out to level the score and set up an intriguing second period.  17-17

As a contest both sides which the halftime score indicates, were evenly matched despite the 8 place and 37 league points difference at the start of the game.
Rochdale opened the second half on the attack and Pegrum as the last line of defence put in the first of several try saving tackles.
In the 47th minute Atkinson was released on the right wing deep in his own half and scored what must be one of the tries of the season as with winged heels he sped down his touch line evading and brushing off several defenders to score in the corner with Bulmer adding the extras.  24-17
Minutes later Rochdale swept to the Malton end and from a few metres out and close to the touch line a miss hit penalty kick landed much to his surprise in the arms of Angus who gratefully belted it downfield, a simple error that the visitors would come to regret.
Moments later it was Malton’s turn to pass up a scoring opportunity as they were turned over in the Rochdale red zone.
On 65 minutes prop Taylor gave way to Boothman after a solid display at the coal face deservedly earning loud applause from the cognoscenti in the stand.
The game was now entering the phase when with a narrow lead game management and an eye on the clock were the order of the day, but Rochdale had other ideas as Malton’s fly half tried to emulate his earlier pump pass which was easily read, picked off, and translated into 7 points for the visitors.  24-24
With 50 minutes showing on the clock, 10 of which were unbelievably injury stoppages, Malton took a line out 20 metres out from the Rochdale line and in the ensuing loose play Stephenson took the ball to the visitor’s line and found Angus who dotted down to seal a victory against a side who next season will be heading to the North West for their league fixtures.
Next week with Goole the visitors in the opening round of the Papa John cup there is a feast of rugby scheduled at the Gannock with I believe 4 games on offer including a curtain raiser before the cup game. PLEASE check the club website for full and accurate details.

Malton:  Nick Salisbury,  John Vasconcelos,  Jake Taylor,  Will Dunn,  Sean Emms,  Charlie Reed,  Henry Cornforth,  Sam Triffitt(c),  Paul Angus,  James Bulmer,  Tom Atkinson,  Jacob Stephenson,  Will Bell,  Alex Packer,  Archie Johnson.

Bench(all used),  Ben Boothman,  Dan Coe,  Rufus Pegrum.

Scorers:    Triffitt   1 try
                   Stephenson   1 try
                   Atkinson   1 try
                   Angus   1 try
                   Bulmer   3 cons, 1 pen