VICTORY SNATCHED FROM THE JAWS OF DEFEAT
JAMES KNOCK
May I first congratulate our friends at Morpeth on their promotion and welcome Durham City, Kendal, Moortown, and West Hartlepool to our league which last season proved to be very competitive from 5th to 12th place.
On a fine Autumn day with perfect weather and the playing surface a fine tribute to our ground staff Malton opened proceedings in good style with a new 1/2 back pairing and a little and large 2nd row combination . A wide expansive game plan bore fruit in the 5th minute with Ali Fothergill crashing over after quick passing from 9 to 13 well converted by Shane Poole. Two minutes later a well placed penalty kick to coffin corner, an accurate throw from new hooker Bailey Lamb and the drive from the pack gave Matt Bowman a converted try.
On 14 minutes with the supply of quality ball from the forwards a feature a fine copybook try was manufactured for midfielder Tom Foan for 7 points.
The signs of a revival by YMCA had flickered after the opening 10 minutes and now burst into flames for the next 25 and they were duly rewarded on 30 minutes with a try from their speedy 20 yr old no 14 following a dominant period from their pack with Malton's contribution being a worryingly high and increasing penalty ratio. However on 36 minutes Rob Featherstone scored a trademark 5 points using his preferred close range burrowing method again converted by Poole.
On 38 minutes YMCA replied with their prop ploughing over for a 7 pointer to bring a half time score of 28 - 14 to Malton.
Malton opened the 2nd half with a well worked try on 42 minutes the ball going through the back's hands to Paul Angus on his 22 metre line who made ground, kicked ahead with the speedy full back Will Bell in full cry supporting who won the race to the line gathering the loose ball as he slid in for 5 points.
At 33-14 spirits were high and a 19 point lead gave the select crowd hope for a positive result. However YMCA's pack with their 2 and 6 to the fore and their playmaker at 12 proving what a good operative he is had other ideas and on 50, 60, and 63 minutes scored 21 unanswered points to lead by 2 points.
They took advantage of Malton's excessive penalty count, which resulted in them being penned like sheep in their own half for large periods of the 2nd half with the threat of yellow cards miraculously avoided.
17 minutes left on the clock and YMCA in control Malton's mutton looked well and truly cooked when another needless penalty was converted by YMCA's 12 for a 5 point lead and being in control they had the scent of victory and 5 league points in their nostrils.
Malton gathered round their senior team leaders who with stern words persuaded them that they had all to play for and worked their way to the YMCA line several times only to concede yet more penalties.
Deep into injury time the referee awarded Malton a penalty and advised them it was the final play of the game. Poole kicked for touch and 20 metres out an unplanned overthrow bounced and was snaffled by the above who jinked to the line,was held up but 2 phases later the dependable Featherstone tunnelled over for Man of the match Poole to convert and give Malton the spoils.
Next week we visit league newcomers Moortown and travelling support will be more than welcome.SEE YOU THERE!
Malton: Will Bell, Ali Fothergill, Tom Foan, Vus Dyantjies, Paul Angus, Shane Poole, James Bulmer, Sam Triffitt(c), Matt Bowman, Tom Lowry, Charlie Read, John Vasconcelos , Simon Thompson, Bailey Lamb, Rob Featherstone .
Subs: Ian Cooke, Pete Hopkins (used) Tom Barker (unused)
Scorers: Fothergill 1 try, Bowman 1 try ,Foan 1 try, Featherstone 2 tries, Bell 1 try
Poole 5 conversions.
