CHRISTMAS CHEER FOR MALTON AT THE PARK.
JAMES KNOCK
Malton's day got off to a good start with a wonderful Christmas lunch for the Hon President and his travelling companions at Percy Park clubhouse after the 90 mile trip through the new colourscape that had blanketed this part of the country in the early hours of Friday the 13th.
Park kicked off and put Malton under early pressure gaining a penalty in the 4th minute which sailed wide of the posts. Field position was soon reversed with Malton's pack driving upfield to set up Matt Bowman for the opening score converted by Paul Angus on 12 minutes. As well as commanding the loose ball Malton proceeded to take charge at scrum time holding their own and disrupting Park's put in with some impressive eight man scrummaging.
On 25 minutes Malton having absorbed the odd foray by Park with some fierce tackling in the backs struck again through hooker Bailey Lamb for a 7 pointer. For the next 5 minutes Park came back strongly and camped on the Malton line but the pressure was absorbed and James Bulmer's strong line kicking relieved the situation.
On 37 minutes Bowman was singled out for a yellow card after the team had run up too many penalties on the bounce. Park took the opportunity to score a converted try via their lively no6 to put them back in the frame at 14-7 and set up an interesting second half.
Malton took the restart and camped in the Park half but had to wait 8 minutes before position was set up by the forwards for Rob Featherstone to rumble over ( there is no stopping this man from close range ) for a 7 pointer.
Play moved up and down the pitch and try as hard as Park did Malton's backs and back row kept them out with some resolute tackling which proved to be a feature of the whole game. On 21 minutes Malton were again close to the Park whitewash and opted for a scrum penalty which with shove and grunt from the eight again a feature it was a formality for skipper Sam Triffitt to score Angus missing the extras, his first misfire in his last 9 shots at goal over 2 games with his now legendary kicking tee.
At 26 points to 7 and the try bonus point bagged Malton had only to game manage and repulse any Park attacks which they did up to the last minute when tiredness kicked in and Park took advantage scoring wide out through the no14 for a consolation 5 points.
This win at the halfway point of the league season sees Malton in the top half of the table where it is easy to drop from top to 6th in a matter of 3 weeks and proves that any team is liable to unexpected defeats and indeed victories. Take note last week's doubters.
On the basis of this performance we should be sending coach Chris Creber home to his native land with his record as both player and coach intact and indeed enhanced.He will be missed come the end of the season.
Not only was the performance on the pitch a tribute to the coach and all of the squad used so far this season, but also their Nativity tableau presented post game in the Park clubhouse, Thirsk Marketplace, and their watering hole in Malton deserves special mention.
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It remains for me to wish everyone at the club from minis to senior members not forgetting our hard working staff as well a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year with the reminder the 1st team reconvene on 4/1/20 at home to 5th placed Moortown when we hope to redress a heavy defeat suffered way back in September.
No video highlights at the moment.
Malton: Will Bell, Chris Joe, Vus Dyantjies, Jacob Stephenson, Ali Fothergill, James Bulmer, Paul Angus, Nick Salisbury, Bailey Lamb, Rob Featherstone, Charlie Read, Jack Hobbs, Tom Lowry, Matt Bowman, Sam Triffitt(c).
Subs: John Lumley, Will Dunn, Ben Tenge, (all used).
Scorers: Bowman 1try, Lamb 1try, Featherstone 1try, Triffitt 1 try, Angus 3 cons
Reminder 1. Tickets are available for our Ladies Lunch which is before the Moortown game. Contact Katie Mitchell details on photo below
The Super 2s suffered a 22-7 defeat at home to Hornsea who are top of the East Yorks Merit League.
The Thunderous 3s went to York R.I. and secured a stunning 31-17 win..
Reminder 2. Matlon & Norton RUFC and associated cricket clubs christmas shopping is this Friday in York Ali Fothergill and Kenneth are the lead shoppers
Reminder 3. Boxing day Fixture Malton v Norton 5pm KO
