James Knock
After a long, hot, dry summer thanks must be directed towards the club groundsman Bob Woodhouse and his two assistants, who on occasion have been spotted performing a rain dance or two. The gods were kind enough to answer with some much needed precipitation during the week to ensure the surface was just about playable, and the team served up a performance to cheer even the dullest of souls.
Selby kicked off to the football end and put Malton under severe pressure for the opening 5 minutes in the home 20 metre area. Led by Stephenson, stout tackling kept our visitors at bay, and it was 8 minutes before Malton escaped from their own half via a penalty award.
From the resulting line out good pressure from the Malton pack resulted in Stephenson opening the season’s account in his first game as skipper in the 10th minute. 7-0
Play now travelled up and down the pitch in a stalemate but in the 20th minute Malton defending their red zone gave up a penalty in front of and within range of the sticks with Selby opting for a tap ball. Moments later Malton were awarded their own penalty and moved downfield for a line out which resulted in Bell breaking through and selflessly feeding Lockwood who galloped over for 5 points. 12-0
In the 26th minute forward pressure and excellent hands resulted in Hopkins barging over for another 5 points. 17-0
Two minutes later Stephenson leading from the front put in an uncompromising tackle in midfield and from the spilt ball and some strong running by the backs set up a try for Hopkins which was adjudged to have been held up.
On 31 minutes Stephenson finished off some clever work by his midfield partner Lockwood to claim his brace. 22-0
Five minutes later with Selby showing what they had in the locker their winger Dan Reid took his chance to score in the corner. 22-5
Malton were forced into a change just before halftime with Jefferson replacing Bell who limped off with one hopes not too serious an injury.
Malton kicked off on resumption and with Selby’s confidence growing after their score a period of stalemate ensued for 10 minutes but on 52 minutes after 2or 3 switches of direction and plenty of possession the home backs took the ball to the Selby red zone and Triffitt was the scorer wide out. 27-5
A few minutes later Angus now operating in the no15 shirt raced up the stand side from his 20 metre area and with Collier in support took play to within 15 metres of the Selby goal line but the latter was tackled into touch. From the line out and following a turnover play moved to the clubhouse side and moments later Lowry was credited with 5 points Bulmer adding the extras. 34-5
The evergreen Salisbury now vacated the bench to relieve Taylor who had put in a solid shift at both loose and tight scrums earning warm applause from the cognoscenti in the stand.
Selby had the last word in the 65th minute when their no10 Poskitt finished off the scoring with a score wide out. 34-10
Malton gave Triffitt a well-deserved break as they introduced Byron Marshall for the final 10 minutes.
A good solid all round performance with some worthy of a special mention. The skipper with Lockwood in midfield looked and played as if they had actually previously met, Raines for his excellent chop tackling thus freeing up Lowry to roam the park and pop up in support of the backs, and Angus giving up his normal 9 shirt to Hoggard moved seamlessly to the fullback role.
Next week the boys are at Scarborough, now coached by former Northampton and England fullback/ winger Ben Foden for a 3.00pm kick off. I am sure they will appreciate your support.
Malton: Pete Hopkins, John Vasconcelos, Jake Taylor, Charlie Reed, Will Dunn, Josh Raines, Tom Lowry, Sam Triffitt, Theo Hoggard, James Bulmer, Will Bell, Jacob Stephenson (c), Ed Lockwood, Bill Collier, Paul Angus.
Bench: (all used): Nick Salisbury, Byron Marshall, Matt Jefferson.
Scorers: Stephenson 2 tries
Lockwood 1 try
Hopkins 1 try
Triffitt 1 try
Lowry 1 try
Bulmer 2 cons
