CONFIDENCE RESTORED AT THE GANNOCK.
Malton overcame Bradford & Bingley ( the Bees ), a side 2 places and 3 points above them with a controlled performance and a determination to put the previous week's disappointments behind them.
Malton kicked off and followed up smartly to put pressure on the Bees and took possession. Early moves down the line with Will Bell joining in from full back looked well rehearsed and smooth and on 7 minutes earned a penalty which just drifted wide. They were unfortunate to lose the improving winger Nathan Pratt who had received a stray boot in the eye which obscured his vision thus handing a debut to Chris Joe.
On 17 minutes a missed tackle down Malton's left wing led to the opening score by the Bees through their no14 with the extra points going in off the post.
From the restart Malton drove straight down to the Bees 20 metre line and earned a penalty which rebounded off the post, was caught by a Malton player, and driven to the line, but in the ensuing melee accidentally running into their own player gave the Bees a relieving penalty kick.
Malton had by this time introduced Jack Hobbs for his debut in the 2nd row who immediately made his presence felt with strong running and solid line out work both securing his own ball and spoiling the Bees throw ins.
On 23 minutes a break down the right wing and delivery of the ball to the mercurial Ben Tenge saw him dot down for a 7 pointer.
Malton now looked confident in all aspects of the game and at half time the omens were promising.
The 2nd half opened with Malton camping on the Bees line for a succession of scrums all of them attacking team's put in, 2 of them popping up and the only reward for the Malton eight was a yellow card against a Bees prop.
With the home side now dominating the set pieces Hobbs broke free from loose play and his deft offload set up Sam Triffitt who made good ground in turn passing to the impressive Tenge who again making valuable metres set up Ali Fothergill to score a 5 pointer on 56 minutes. Malton were now actively looking for the 2 tries that would give them a full quota of points and on 62 minutes their reward came with Chris Joe scorching 20 metres to score his debut try for the club for a 5 pointer.
The fourth try eluded Malton and they had to be content with a solid performance, 4 points and a one place move up the league and more importantly the restoration of belief in their own abilities.
After 2 successive home games Malton will hit the road to the West Riding and Cleckheaton next week.
Malton: Will Bell, Nathan Pratt, Vus Dyantjies, Tom Foan, Ali Fothergill, James Bulmer, Paul Angus, Pete Hopkins, Bailey Lamb, Rob Featherstone, Will Dunn, Charlie Read, Tom Lowry, Ben Tenge, Sam Triffitt (c).
Subs: John Lumley, Jack Hobbs, Chris Joe. (All used).
Ben Tenge 1 try
Ali Fothergill 1 try
Chris Joe 1 Try
Paul Angus 1 Con.
Bridlington 2s 10 - 10 Malton & Norton 2s
Malton & Norton 3s 24 - 38 Beverley 3s/2s
Match report to follow.....
