Malton & Norton 37 - 5 Pocklington
James Knock
"PERFECT POOLE"
Malton’s dismantling of local rivals Pocklington was built on the back of a splendid front five performance and a near perfect display from fly half Poole who demonstrated 100% kicking off the tee and an almost faultless exhibition of out of hand punting and chip kicking. In truth it was a good solid team performance by all 18 squad members.
Malton kicked off in front of a crowd a little bit short of capacity, some supporters missing the action instead favouring fairways,fleshpots,fish dinners of the Algarve!
Bowman showed early intent with his trademark leg drive and grit gaining valuable metres giving Pocklington early notice of his strength and power.
Malton showed early ambition and it was perhaps over keenness that saw them drop the final pass or fail to put the man wide out into the corner during the opening 10 minutes.
Pocklington had an early chance with a penalty attempt that went wide and thereafter it was all Malton scoring at regular intervals using the 65% territory and possession.
On 14 minutes a scrum ten metres out gave Triffitt the pickup at the base and a quick dart to the line by Angus set up a loose maul and position for a Featherstone rumble and score with a fine conversion by Poole.
Ten minutes later a drive of 20 metres upfield to the Pocklington red zone led to a try for the skipper Triffitt again converted but the mean and unnecessary rabbit punch by a Pocklington prop led to a yellow card for the perpetrator.
On 30 minutes with 14 points in the bag a penalty 25 metres out was wisely entrusted by captain Triffitt to Poole who duly obliged.
With the Malton eight now in complete control good ball arrived in Bulmer’s hands and keeping the ball high out of harms way he danced through several would be tacklers handed on to Lamb who well rested having had a sabbatical 2 weeks ago showed his skills stepping and dummying his way to the line.
Half time 24 -0.
Malton opened the second half camped in the Pocklington half and on 47 minutes a penalty 28 metres out was handed to Poole who again obliged. 27-0 and Pocklington were staring into the abyss.
Malton now tried experimenting with the ample supply of ball and despite the exhortation of a nonogenarian former player in the chapel of rest( the stand) to stop the aerial kicking, Bulmer and Poole traded kicks with the Pocklington back three, no harm in that when 27 points to the good, and gained valuable territory.
On 55 minutes an eight man shove rocked Pocklington on their put in and gave Triffitt a simple pickup and twist over the line to complete his brace, converted by Poole.
Malton rang the changes shortly afterwards with the outstanding Emms who is rapidly developing a taste for leadership by example and assisting his skipper in encouragement of the younger players giving way to Dunn. Three minutes later to a shout from a wag in the crowd of “candy time” Featherstone gave way to Hopkins. On 73 minutes Inman replaced Hoggard.
At this stage Malton lost a bit of concentration and a couple of yellow cards were needlessly picked up and gave Pocklington the chance to exert pressure and score a consolation 5 pointer.
Malton wrapped up the game with another Poole penalty on 78 minutes to put them in good heart for a trip to Scarborough next week.
Please clear your diaries and make the short journey to support your club and team, they value your presence.
Malton: James Bulmer, Ali Fothergill, Tom Hoggard, Matt Bowman, Will Bell, Shane Poole, Paul Angus, Nick Salisbury, Bailey Lamb, Rob Featherstone, Charlie Read, Sean Emms, Will Hughes, Tom Smith, Sam Triffitt(c).
Subs (all used): Chris Inman, Will Dunn, Pete Hopkins.
Scorers:
Featherstone 1 try
Triffitt 2 tries
Lamb 1 try
Poole 4 cons, 3 pens.
Pocklington 2s 69 - 12 Malton & Norton 2s
Malton & Norton 3s 19 - 21 Pocklington 3s
Marcus Lyon
With Rugby now being played following the numerous Covid lockdowns it is a fantastic achievement by both clubs to put out three teams so early in the season. Credit must go to Pat Lane the current CEO of Malton third team and the team spirit is seen both on the field and off with all players encouraging ex-players to get back into the fold.
The game was an absolute classic with a nailbiting finish with Malton scoring under the posts through second row Jim Boyes only for the conversion to be narrowly missed by veteran prop Seymour Butts.
At the start of the game the majority of players were fully warmed up whilst prop John Lumley chose to warm up in the bar enjoying a slap up meal courtesy of MKM one of the Matchday sponsors together with SJP Law.
With Lumley scoring a classic try barging through the defence it looked as if his warmup was the far better option and this could be something Pat Lane can look at in the future.
Just like last week there was a mix of experience and youth which culminated in some splendid moves. With just 15 minutes played the third team broke from their own 22.
Acting stand-off Ben Owston fed his centre pairing of Ed Gwilliam and Martin Watson.Approaching the halfway line they passed long to Nick Wilks who was quickly joined but his opposite winger,James Machin and with Full Back Nathan Chapman in support,what may prove to be the try of the season, was scored under the posts.
As the match progressed Pocklington forced their way over for a number of tries. Both packs were evenly matched with Matthew Midgeley, Harry Owston, Kieron Sykes, Joe Browne, Jack Bagshaw, Oisin O’Shea and Liam Cowton working tirelessly all game.
With the game very much in the balance and a few changes were made and a new halfback pairing of Ian Mansell and Jo Marucci Came together with David Bakes joining the pack.
Malton tried their hardest towards the end and were unfortunate that the final conversion was missed for what should have been a well deserved draw. Post match there was little mention of the game with most players still recovering from the freezing cold showers.
A massive thanks once again to all those who played and for the referee who clearly enjoyed the game too.
