MALTON SEIZE CONTROL IN SECOND HALF.
A momentous day for the Triffitt family celebrating Sam's 300th 1st team appearance for Malton and Norton at the Gannock as skipper for the 7th successive season out of 14 in total.
Malton started well with a clean catch from their own kick off but a called move failed after a breakdown in communication in midfield resulted in 50 metres lost territory.
Morley now pressured the Malton line but good tackling kept them at bay. However on 9 minutes following two missed touch kicks the Morley no7 crossed after recycled ball for a 7 pointer.
Malton's penalty count was already creeping up after 10 minutes in part due to a no nonsense referee who was very quick on his whistle at the breakdown.
On 15 minutes a high ball from Chris Inman collected by Will Bell resulted in a penalty to Malton on 35 metres changed to 25 following Morley backchat. The shot at goal just drifting wide. This seemed to affect Malton confidence and Morley took control of proceedings with 70% possession and territory.
The few incursions into the Morley half were spoiled by basic errors, holding on to the ball twice in 2 minutes resulting in a 7 pointer on 29 minutes for the Morley no11.
Malton lost Sean Emms to a head knock with the evergreen Andy Mitchell moving to lock and the plucky George Barker coming on to the flank.
Morley scored again on 37 minutes following a side entry decision, the three points taking the half time score to 17-0 in the confident West Riding outfit's favour.
Malton set about a Morley team that had been dominant in most phases of the game and whether it was Malton waking up or Morley complacency the dominance disappeared and Malton drove to the visitor's line and earned a scrum, put the shove on and with Triffitt controlling the ball at his feet a simple release followed for Inman to dart over with Paul Angus adding 2 points from wide out.
Malton now carried the game to Morley in a reversal of the first half and with Ali Fothergill linking up with his forwards to add momentum they ignored a penalty near the sticks on 58 minutes took the scrum and a pick up from the base by Triffitt put the lurking Ali Fothergill in for a 7 pointer.
Twelve minutes later Malton broke out from their 22 metre area up to the opposition 22 metre line and put a penalty award into touch. Keeping possession Malton put the squeeze on Morley and with Fothergill again adding his bulk in the ensuing phases to the forward effort the ball came back to James Bulmer who sold an outrageous dummy to go over the line Angus again adding the 2 points and give Malton a 4 point lead. Nathan Pratt now gave way to youngster Adam Finlinson for his first senior appearance.
Malton repelled a concerted effort by the visitors in the closing minutes to register a well earned 4 league points with all 18 players deserving the plaudits for the second half performance moving up one place to eighth in the table in a league that is proving to be flexible from top to bottom.
I would be failing in my job as match reporter if I failed to mention unsportsmanlike behaviour from a Morley supporter who used the words "biased referee" to a group of Malton's former senior players. This comment added to the one used at the corresponding fixture at the Gannock as reported last year, is an insult to a gentleman who has given up his afternoon so that we can have a game, and in my humble opinion has no place in the game of Rugby Union.
Next week a short drive to local rivals Pocklington awaits us.
Malton: Ali Fothergill, Nathan Pratt, Will Bell, Vus Dyantjies, Paul Angus, James Bulmer, Chris Inman, Rob Featherstone, Bailey Lamb, Peter Hopkins, Sean Emms, Charlie Read, Andy Mitchell, Matt Bowman, Sam Triffitt (c).
Subs: Nick Salisbury, Adam Finlinson, George Barker, (all used).
Scorers: Chris Inman 1 try
Ali Fothergill 1 try
James Bulmer 1 try
Paul Angus 3 cons.
