Malton and Norton RUFC

Malton & Norton 3rds 22 – Driffield 4ths 10

Malton 3s were rewarded with a well-earned victory against local rivals Driffield at the Gannock to avenge two previous defeats away from home. This match was played as it should be with both sides totally committed to playing open rugby despite the blustery conditions.

Malton started strongly with the pack putting in another strong performance from the start with Vaughan, Skaife, Sutton and Kemp making big in roads. Malton half backs Smith and Clarke brought good control that has been lacking in previous games, Smith always willing to test Driffield’s defence and Matty Clarke taking the ball up well and bringing centres Collins and Armitage into the game and making some good ground time and time again. Maltons pressure was rewarded after 10 minutes when after good forward pressure Malton scored their first try by the excellent hard running Sutton. Malton continued to move the ball well but were guilty of dropping the final pass to give up possession which put them under unnecessary pressure and were saved by Midgley with three excellent tackles, the fullback had another fine game despite the windy conditions.

Some excellent turnovers from the likes of Humphreys, Hickes and Newsome produced some valuable possession allowing Malton to keep Driffield under pressure which was rewarded with a well taken try from Knaggs, this was the hard-working No. 7s first try for Malton and well deserved to put his side ten points up. Typically, Driffield were never going to give up and narrowed the gap to five points with an excellent try with forwards and backs combining well. Malton continued to move the ball wide and by running from deep made in-roads into the Driffield half and from a fine back move Tumman outsprinted the defence to score under the posts to score an important try just before half time which was converted by Collins.

Going into the second half even with a 12 points advantage Malton still had plenty of work to do against the strong wind and a Driffield side who never back down. It was Driffield who started strongly but Maltons defence was excellent repelling every attack. Malton were still keen to run the ball wide and the recently introduced Coulson’s strong running made hard yards into the Driffield 22. In the final quarter Malton subbed the excellent Knaggs who had run himself into the ground and replaced him for the experienced Ordidge. O Shea and Drury came on for Midgley and Tumman.

In the final minutes Malton were still creating space and making breaks, and Collins was held up short on a couple of occasions, however it was the powerful Armitage who the found the gap to score under the posts. Captain Collins stepped up to take the easy conversion and miraculously was closer to the corner flag than the posts with his attempt. Driffield played to the final whistle and finished off with a hard-earned try, to end an entertaining match.

There were clear signs that the work being done in training like defending around the fringes and running from deep are being used in matches, keep it up boys. Next week we have a trip Scarborough for another local derby and no reason why we can’t keep playing this entertaining brand of rugby. Well done to the boys who did not manage to get a runout it really shows the level of competition there is now for places.