The Malton & Norton Marvels celebrated their fresh new kit in style on Sunday, securing an impressive 25-10 victory over a strong Selby Ladies side.
Before kick-off, the team welcomed Lisa from Willowgreen Estate Agents and Dominic from Leoni’s Coffee House, whose generous support helped make the new kit a reality. The Marvels, bolstered by players from Scarborough Valkyries and York Ladies through the RFU’s new multi-registration initiative, took to the field ready for action. With a last-minute referee shortage, head coach Alex Crockett stepped up to officiate, ensuring the game went ahead.
Willowgreen, with offices in Malton and Driffield, is a leading independent estate agency serving Ryedale, East Riding of Yorkshire, and beyond. Since opening in 2016, they have grown to be the market leaders in the region. Meanwhile, Leoni’s—a beloved local coffee shop in Malton, Yorkshire’s food capital—is a hub for the club and the community. Known for their cozy atmosphere, locally sourced ingredients, and award-winning baristas, Leoni’s prides itself on delivering the finest coffee this side of Italy.
Receiving the new shirts on behalf of the Marvels were Club Chairman Russel Stead (right) and players Jaz Harrison, Lauren Simpson, Team Manager Venetia Mitchell, and Captain Emily Midgley.
The match itself started with some early jitters, allowing Selby to build a 10-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes. However, once the Marvels settled, they hit their stride. Tries from Laura Dishman and Jaz Harrison—both of whom, alongside Pippa Hutchinson, recently attended Yorkshire Women’s county trials—sparked the comeback. A dominant second half saw the Marvels take control, sealing a well-earned 25-10 win.
It was a busy afternoon at The Gannock, with the Yorkshire Wolds Warriors—Malton & Norton’s girls’ cluster teams featuring players from Scarborough and Driffield—also in action. The U12s and U14s faced Guisborough, while the U16s battled a strong Sandal side. Adding to the celebrations, the U14 and U16 squads debuted their own brand-new Malton-coloured kits, with more details and acknowledgments to come in the following weeks.
