Malton teams keep title hopes alive (From Gazette & Herald)

Malton teams keep title hopes alive

Malton & Norton 27, Heath 8

DESPITE terrible conditions, Malton played some of their finest rugby to win this top-of-the-table clash at The Gannock and keep their title hopes alive.

Facing driving rain in the first half, Malton could afford few mistakes against a lively Heath side, who had no intentions of surrendering without a fight.

Heath took an early lead with a penalty, when Malton were caught offside at a ruck. The setback was a temporary blip, and with Jim Fisher and Carl Rushworth leading with some ferocious drives, Heath were soon on the back foot. The pack supplied good passes, and half-backs, Andy Newsome and Chris Creber, ensured little was wasted.

Creber was outstanding and never afraid to set his line in motion. He and fellow Aussie, Nick Tyson, combined well. Their handling impressed in such wet conditions. After exerting pressure on the Heath line, Tyson used his pace and strength to cross between the posts, and Newsome converted.

Once in front, Malton stepped up a gear. When Heath threatened to break, the Malton defence stood firm, David Cooke again impressing.

Tyson used his speed once more to score his second try, which Newsome converted.

Heath never gave up and just before half time, Malton took their foot off the gas and allowed them to narrow the gap with a try by centre, Dave Stanger. Mick Gleeson converted to add to his earlier penalty.

In the second half, good handling in the Malton threes caused panic in the visitors' defence and from the resultant ruck, flanker, Dave Knaggs, picked up to score in the corner.

Kicking from Newsome and Tyson ensured Malton held territorial advantage, but Heath looked dangerous. It took a Newsome penalty to give Malton some breathing space.

He then broke from a ruck on the blind side and put Creber in for a well-deserved try at the corner to round off the scoring.

The win means Heath have fallen below Malton, York RI and Skipton, who are equal on points at the top of the table.

Malton & Norton 2nds 43,

Heath 2nds 7

MALTON seconds returned to their merit table campaign with a solid performance that extends their lead at the top of the table.

In driving wind and rain they kept hold of the ball during strong charges and created inroads into the Heath defence.

This early pressure secured Malton three tries from the forwards. With the cushion of a lead, they were able to play the ball out for the backs to use.

The new centre partnership of Charlie Breese and Jon Dring were both making their comeback games and their skill and speed kept the Heath defence under pressure. Ball handling was difficult and on a finer day they would have each got their name on the score sheet.

As Heath tried to kick to touch out of defence, Rob Laverick showed his increasing promise, as he caught cleanly, and turned defence into attack for Malton.

Malton turned round with the wind behind them, looking to hit home their advantage.

A more open game was played in the second half with strong running by Tim Friend, typifying the confidence of the team. Further scores did come and Heath scored a late breakaway try to give them some reward for their hard work.

Veteran Steve Bothamley came on in the final quarter, and showed some good old-fashioned shoulder-charge play to literally bowl the opposition over.

The Malton scorers were Rob Hopkinson, Rob Hicks, Ted Harrison (2), Tim Friend (2), and Stuart Duff, who took his season's tally to 123 points with his try and four conversions.

Updated: 15:40 Thursday, February 15, 2001