MALTON & NORTON 31 ---- 24 SCARBOROUGH
MALTON CONFOUND PREDICTIONS AND EARN MAXIMUM POINTS.
In common with most clubs at the pre match lunch our honorary president runs a raffle/draw based on the predicted final score line. There were some interesting and indeed shocking names who predicted a Scarborough win. O ye of little faith!
Malton kicked off and a concerted effort from the visiting forwards saw them move up to the Malton scoring zone after several judicious long kicks by their no10, but ferocious tackling by the Malton backs kept them at bay. On 8 minutes Malton arrived in the visitors half and put Matt Bowman in for a try converted by Paul Angus using his new kicking tee, the previous one having mysteriously disappeared somewhere in the murky depths of the West Riding.
Scarborough were quick to respond and with good turnover ball an astute kick from their no12 was picked up by the impressive open side flanker to dot down for five points only on 16 minutes.
Three minutes later with the Scarborough prop blatantly offside Angus sent for his trusty tee and from 35 metres out and 15 metres in drilled the ball through the sticks with distance to spare.
On 23 minutes Malton lost the midfield talisman Tom Foan to a head injury assessment which saw Rob Armitage make his first appearance of the season. Two minutes later Scarborough lost their hooker to the injury bench. Seven minutes on and the Scarborough 10 hooked a regulation penalty kick 25 metres out just to the left of the posts.
Play went up to the Scarborough half and with plentiful ball from the hard working pack James Bulmer sold a double dummy on 35 minutes to score and set Angus up with an easy conversion off his magic tee.
From the restart Scarborough having rotated their props and with their hooker in the dug out camped on Malton's line and were unceremoniously shoved off their own put in and 3 minutes later were defending their own line and after 4 phases the position was set up for a trademark Rob Featherstone try converted off the now indispensable Angus kicking tee.
Not to be outdone Scarborough replied deep into injury time following a lapse in Malton's defensive concentration with a simple interchange between fullback and fly half for the latter to score and convert to bring the half time score to 24-12 in the host's favour.
Scarborough applied early pressure at the re start and penned Malton in their 20 metre zone after a poor line kick not finding touch put Ali Fothergill off side. At this stage Malton returned to the bad habits of earlier games with an increasing penalty count. Somehow they kept Scarborough at bay and on 53 minutes two successive penalties against Scarborough indiscipline took Malton to the visitors half.
There followed a ten minute injury break after Scarborough's no13 Komiti Tuilagi( yes a relative of the Leicester Tiger) ran into the brick wall that is Rob Armitage and retired hurt. The no arms challenge went unpunished and Scarborough retained 15 men on the pitch.
Malton's concentration now left them completely and they let in 2 tries,one converted, on 65 and 68 minutes respectively to level the score.
However a surge downfield saw Jacob Stephenson set up for a magical try where he backed himself and his pace and strength to beat several defenders to the line converted again off the talismanic Angus tee on 71 minutes. We need to see more of young Stephenson!
Malton controlled the final 15 minutes despite a yellow card against skipper Sam Triffitt whose efforts and leadership had been Herculean all game. Another card followed 2 minutes later against the visiting no 5, and the game ended with Malton on the attack deep into injury time and one or two of the doubters looking shamefaced.
This game was followed by a 3rd team performance under lights where an entertaining match against Scarborough's 3rds ended 17-7 in Malton's favour.
Great value for the £5.00 entry.
Next week sees us on the road north to Percy Park who will no doubt field a heavyweight pack to test our mettle at scrum time and the boys will no doubt appreciate as much support as can be mustered at a venue where we are always warmly welcomed. SEE YOU THERE!
Malton: Chris Joe, Nathan Pratt, Jacob Stephenson, Tom Foan, Ali Fothergill, James Bulmer, Paul Angus, Pete Hopkins, Bailey Lamb, Rob Featherstone, Jack Hobbs, Charlie Read, Tom Lowry, Matt Bowman, Sam Triffitt (c).
Subs:(all used). Nick Salisbury, Andy Mitchell, Rob Armitage.
Scorers: Matt Bowman 1try, James Bulmer 1try, Rob Featherstone 1try, Jacob Stephenson 1try, Paul Angus 1pen 4cons.
Video highlights available email Rob at sketchyrob_1@hotmail.co.uk for the link.
SCARBOROUGH 2s 46 ---- 0 MALTON & NORTON 2s
Match Report may follow if not here are the highlights
Scarborough Kicked Off
The Ref whistled for Half Time
Malton then Kicked off
Full Time....
