Posa puts the boot in as double hopes die (From Gazette & Herald)

Posa puts the boot in as double hopes die

Yorkshire Shield final - Beverley 15 - Malton and Norton 12. MALTON and Norton's bid to complete a championship and Yorkshire Shield double ended in disappointment last Sunday.

Beverley, who have gained promotion from Yorkshire Two, had a simple, but effective game plan, which kept Malton on the back foot. The boot of fly-half Anthony Posa tested the Malton defence to the full and limited their attacking chances.

After an early penalty miss by both sides, Malton took the lead when they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. With Beverley expecting a kick at goal, scrum-half Jon Newsome quickly took the kick and passed wide to the waiting James McKay, who strolled over in the corner.

Straight from the restart, Beverley replied with a drop goal. Winning a scrum ball just inside the 22-metre area, Posa's boot did the rest. Malton came back with a good run from wing Tom Stephenson to put his side within scoring distance. Beverley won the ensuing line out and cleared their lines.

On the half-hour mark, Malton conceded a penalty for holding on to the ball after a tackle. Beverley scrum-half Ian Archibald made no mistake to nudge his side into the lead. Another penalty soon followed when a Malton player was adjudged to have obstructed his opposite number in a chase to the line. Beverley turned around with a four-point lead.

The first half had seen a surprisingly subdued Malton more than holding their own in the forwards, but unable to create anything of worth in the three-quarters. Rob Tate was introduced early in the second period to add some flair. However, with Posa still pumping the ball deep into Malton territory at every opportunity, chances were few and far between.

Two further penalties were conceded for offside and for handling in a ruck to give Beverley the ten-point cushion they needed. Malton were far from finished though.

Full-back Jason Simpson broke from his own 22-metre area before kicking ahead and just losing out in the chase for the touch-down. However, his opposite number was forced to kick the ball dead inside his own goal area and Malton gained a five-metre scrum.

A well-worked move in the backs gave Simpson the chance to burst through and score beneath the posts. Ian Cooke added the extras and, with five minutes remaining, Malton were back in the game. Try as they did, they were unable to unlock the door again and Beverley ran out deserved winners.

After the best season in the 50-year history of the club, there should be no shame in the Malton ranks. The entire squad has exceeded all expectations in gaining promotion for the third successive season and can hold their heads high as they prepare for the next campaign in North Two East.

Coach Richard John said the key to Beverley's victory was the kicking of fly-half Anthony Posa.

"They played the right game on the right day and they deserved it. They had a tactic and stuck to it, good luck to them.

"The lads haven't experienced defeat much. We've only lost four games all season and about ten in three years. Plus every important game we've been asked to win, we've done it, so to lose was a bitter pill to swallow."

But he said his side soon cheered up. "Within an hour, they were all singing on the bus. The success of the season is not judged on one game. They've been excellent and can be proud of themselves."

Updated: 11:02 Wednesday, May 05, 2004