James Knock
The above score line on a cold but dry afternoon at Scatcherd Lane, home to a former powerhouse in Yorkshire rugby, with an 18 year old entrusted with the whistle on only his second or third outing, left Malton’s long suffering, loyal supporters feeling distinctly chillier as they departed Morley for the long drive home.
In the first minute after winning a penalty line out Malton’s no10 was knocked over like a skittle as Morley’s back row made their presence felt. In the 4th minute Morley converted one of many penalties to come as Malton reverted to bad habits (a change from last week) from 22 metres out. 0-3
The restart went straight out and from the scrum in the middle after two phases the ball was planted into touch 5 metres from the visitor’s line. Malton won their own throw in and cleared their lines, but the warning signs of their host’s capabilities in their back division especially their no13 were starting to be laid out for all to see.
In the 10th minute the lively home scrum half made a break and chip kicked the ball but good cover by the ever improving back rower Bell saved the day. Minutes later Malton had the chance to level the score but the kick was short and off target.
On 21 minutes Malton were given a penalty line out 5 metres out but in turn were penalised for what used to be called truck and drive and Morley kicked their way back to the Malton red zone, and after 3 phases they in turn missed a shot at goal. Moments later Bulmer made a good break but unusually for a fly half at this level he ran out of puff after 25 metres and was caught and tackled. In their scrambled defence Morley knocked the ball forward and from the scrum only ten metres out Malton were penalised for losing their bind in the front row. Another opportunity gone begging.
On 30 minutes Malton again gave up a penalty as the game see sawed back to their end 15 metres out and the nimble home no9 took a quick tap and nipped past 3 defenders for a 7 pointer. 0-10
Five minutes later Malton closed the gap with a penalty 10 metres out in front of the home uprights. 3-10
In the 38th minute Atkinson on the right wing was fed the ball and made 50 metres beating 4 defenders before a last gasp tackle brought him down and two phases later Cook rumbled over for 7 points. 10-10
Morley however put in a sucker punch on the stroke of halftime with a converted try to set the game up for an intriguing second half. 10-17
Malton followed up their kick off swiftly and set up stall in the Morley 20 metres area for 5 minutes but failed to convert the pressure and eventually knocked the ball forward following a penalty line out in the corner. Yet another chance not taken. Morley progressed to the Malton half and despite his protests to the young man in control of the whistle Boothman was penalised for slipping his bind, and a minute later from a home scrum a delicate chip and catch from the Morley midfield yielded 7 points in the 48th minute. 10-24
Two minutes later after yet another penalty Triffitt was summoned for an interview with the referee and issued with a team warning. In the 55th minute Bell popped up in midfield in his own 20 metre area and dodging 3 men fed Stephenson whose kick ahead put Malton in the home red zone and winning a penalty Fothergill took a quick tap to score himself and earn 7 points putting his side back in the game. 17-24
Morley’s replies were not long in coming as at 5 minute intervals they posted 3 tries and 19 points whilst Malton were down to 14 men with Stephenson in the bin. 17-43
To Malton’s credit knowing the precarious situation at the bottom of the league table and despite coughing up the above 19 points all too easily they set about trying to salvage something out of the game and at the same time a bit of pride. In the 75th minute Boothman was forced over for 5 points only. 22-43
Three minutes later with Malton on the ropes in their 10 metre area and with possession 3 attempts were made to run the ball but this ended with a penalty award to the home side who now looked for the half century score and found it rather too easily. 22-50
In the final minute Malton earned a penalty in the home red zone close to the sticks and skipper Triffitt took matters into his own hands and asked his pack of forwards for one last effort as they packed down to scrummage for the final time. The above named gentleman picked up at the base and emphatically drove his way over through 2 defenders in his 399th first team appearance to claim his 100th try, in so doing earning his club what could a very valuable bonus point. 29-50
Next week we entertain Old Crossleyans who in late November at Broomfield were denied a narrow result with a conversion attempt in the final seconds of the game as the ball collided with the metalwork.
MALTON: Ali Fothergill, Tom Atkinson, Archie Johnson, Jacob Stephenson, Bill Collier, James Bulmer, Paul Angus, Peter Hopkins, Nick Salisbury, Ben Boothman, Will Dunn, Sean Emms, Will Bell, Henry Cornforth, Sam Triffitt (c).
Bench (all used) Dan Coe, Leon Cooke, Henry Wilson.
Scorers: Fothergill 1 try
Boothman 1 try
Cooke 1 try
Triffitt 1TRY, his 100th.
Bulmer 3 cons, 1 pen.
