RUGBY UNION
MALTON & NORTON 8 pts PERCY PARK 10 pts
Yet again Malton came away with a losing bonus point. In reality a draw would have been a just result and had the last kick of the game not struck the upright and rebounded back that is the result we would have seen.
The first half saw both sides sparring for control but both making far too many errors to capitalise and the nearest the half came to a try was a good break from Malton which wing Henry NEWITT carried on into the visitors 22 metre area before he was cruelly cut down by a high tackle which earned a yellow card for the offending Percy Park player. Having gained the field position and with Percy Park now reduced to 14 men Malton opted for the scrum and seemed to have things under control only to knock the ball forward and give away position. The half was a stalemate until the closing minute when park were awarded a penalty when Malton transgressed at a ruck. Visiting fly half Marcus Rutter converted to give Percy Park the half time lead by the narrowest of margins.
An excellent kick off from Teei PIAWI got Malton going in the second half and Percy Park failed to gather the kick and were caught offside. Piawi added the goal to level the scores. Almost immediately Park hit back. A needless knock on the Malton 22 metre line gave Park the scrum. A neat move sae the scrum wheel just enough to give the No.8 the room he needed to set scrum half John Scott off on an unhindered run to the line for the try. Rutter added the extras and Malton had it all to do. Percy Park should have increased their lead a few minutes later but saw a penalty rebound to safety and be cleared by Malton. The visitors were again reduced in numbers when another player was sin binned for yet another high tackle. However, before they could take advantage Malton were similarly reduced when flanker Andy MITCHELL received a similar punishment for getting himself onto the wrong side of a ruck.
Once restored to full strength, Malton mustered an onslaught and pressured the visitors line for the closing minutes. Several phases of play were won and the pack trundled forward. It was fitting that hooker Alex Whitaker should get the touch down after another fine performance. Piawi had the conversion to level the scores and when the visitors charged early he was given another chance. On this occasion there should have been no charge but Percy Park streamed forward and succeeded in putting him off sufficiently to strike the outside of the upright with his kick. So near yet so far.
This was a much more committed performance from Malton against a side who will be among the front runners at the end of the season and if they can find a little more invention and subtlety in mid- field the close losses will become wins.
Next week Malton visit table toppers Middlesbrough with a 2.15pm kick off.
Malton: I.Cooke, J.Saunders, B.Woodhouse, T.Piawi, H.Newitt, C.Creber, T.Collard, P.Dobson(T.Francis 60mins), A.Whitaker, L.Vaughan, D.Foster, R.Webster, A.Mitchell, S.Triffitt, M.Bradshaw(G.Harrison 65 mins)