Malton and Norton RUFC

Malton & Norton 26 - 12 Scarborough

James Knock

Scarborough pitched up at the Gannock for the return squad session of 4x20 minute periods as was enjoyed last week at their ground.
This followed the ladies session on pitch 3 where Scarborough ran out "winners".

On the Match ground Malton started brightly enough with regular hooker Bailey Lamb making a first appearance. The long lay off meant some rustiness early on in connecting with his jumpers at line out time. However Malton were soon into their stride and set up several promising positions with clever use of dummy runners and it was not long before Ali Fothergill exploited one to use his speed and size to crash over for 5, Miles Duncan adding the extras.

Scarborough soon replied after a short but sustained period of pressure, their regular 10 poking a grubber kick through the Malton defence which turned the defending winger inside out, and the speedy attacking 14 easily won the chase to dot down for 5 only.

In the second period Malton's defence withstood an 8 minute assault on their line with Charlie Corner to the fore defending with some heavy duty tackling assisted by his fellow back rowers.
A change at 9 with regular scrum half Paul Angus taking the field added some thrust from the base of ruck and maul and following a Malton drive to gain position Scarborough turned over the ball and attacked 30 metres from their own line but the alert Tom Foan spotted a flat pass and intercepted with a simple run in to the sticks giving a cursory 2 points for returning 10 Shane Poole, who was a welcome sight at fly half after a lengthy injury lay off.

His educated boot gives Malton some variety and headaches for the coach who so far has 3 fly halves at his disposal with a 4th in the wings we hope.  Scarborough replied in the 3rd period with 7 points via their midfielder to set the score at 14-12 to the hosts and all to play for.  Malton had the best of this third quarter and soon added a 3rd try with crisp passing and interplay between forwards and backs, a break in midfield followed up by the alert Tom Barker to take the final pass and score with Poole adding the extras.

In the final quarter Malton contained the visitors and added to the the total with the welcome sight of Will Bell thundering through in his usual manner for a satisfying 5 points only, for Malton to finish the evening 20-12 to the good.

On the touch line coach  Alex Crockett looked quietly satisfied, and it was pleasing to see some regulars who could not make last week's trip, turn out and add their contributions to a satisfactory evening.
I believe Bridlington have cancelled next week at the Gannock so an internal session will take place. TBC.

Friday the 28th Pocklington are prospective visitors for the final session before the summer break, and after that fingers crossed for the resumption of full blooded rugby football as we know it and the league programme in full on September 4th.
Scorers: Ali Fothergill:   5
               Tom Foan:        5
                Tom Barker:    5
                Will Bell:          5
                Miles Duncan: 2
                Shane Poole:   4

I would like to take the opportunity; and I am sure all will join me, to thank all those who made this evening possible. Our visitors Scarborough,the referee, Christine and her team who provided a supper for close on a hundred hungry players, as well as manning the bar via the french doors, our committee who have zoomed in on each other even as far afield as Whitby for the  duration of the Pandemic and all its variants, but a special thanks to an unsung gentleman, Rob Holtby who ensured the grounds and pitches were up to the excellent standard he has provided for the club over the years.
 

And finally I hope to see more of our members in a fortnight when I hope we can put a lid on the past 15 months and look to the future!

Match Video

Many thanks to Craig for videoing the Match.

1st Half

2nd Half

Match Report to follow......