Passion returns to Malton (From Gazette & Herald)

Passion returns to Malton

North 2 East League: Malton & Norton 21, Westoe 23

Malton has undergone a transformation after lacking their usual fire and passion for the past few weeks.

Much credit must go to both teams for putting on a display of rugby which made a mockery of the terrible conditions.

Westoe, against all advice, decided to brave the gales and make the journey from Tyneside to Malton, and were almost made to regret the decision by a more determined and fired up Malton outfit.

Malton led for 83 minutes of this 84 minute game and victory would have been fully justified.

From the outset Malton tore into the league leaders and kept possession for almost five minutes before they were awarded a penalty for handling at a ruck. Ian Cooke, restored to the side after an enforced lay off because of concussion, slotted home the kick.

The intensity of the game increased but neither side was going to give up without a fight and Westoe soon struck back, inspired by former Newcastle Falcons skipper Richard Arnold. They levelled the scores with a penalty from full back Craig Stephenson when Malton were caught off side at a ruck.

Westoe, however, were incurring the wrath of a somewhat pedantic referee and the penalty count mounted in Maltons favour.

Andy Newsome took advantage of one such award and quickly took the kick to hand on to Chris Creber who made a good break before handing on to the excellent Phil Ryan, who burst through for a well deserved score. Cooke then made the conversion.

The Malton faithful were ecstatic but were soon brought back to earth when Westoe turned up the heat and scored two tries, firstly from second row forward Matt Holland, and secondly from hooker Nigel Douglas. Both came from excellent driving mauls from line outs.

The advantage was short-lived as Malton fought back. Prop forward Carl Rushworth led the way with a driving run into the heart of the visitors' defence. The ball was quickly recycled to Creber, which gave him the opportunity to open up the gap for Ryan to storm over for his second try of the game, and gave his side the half-time advantage.

Westoe were determined to hold onto top place and tried desperately to get back onto level terms. Malton had other ideas and, with Ryan temporarily indisposed with a blood injury, almost increased the lead when replacement Ryan Lonsdale burst through the visitors' defence. He looked a certain scorer but was hauled down just inches short of the line.

The Malton pressure was still telling on Westoe and a succession of penalties saw Cooke convert the two kickable opportunities to extend the lead.

The Westoe pack, although second best in every other department, were still dominant on their own line out ball, and another catch and drive produced yet another try for replacement prop Dave Tennet. It was converted by Stephenson to bring the gap to just one point.

With time running out, Malton looked like causing the upset of the season but in the dying seconds Westoe were awarded a penalty 20 metres out in front of the posts, and Stephenson converted as the final whistle blew on a great game of rugby.

After recent results this was a good achievement for Malton. Each member of the squad can be justly proud of his performance.

Westoe left Malton knowing that they had played their hardest game of the season to date and Westoe player/coach Arnold was full of praise for the home side admitting that his side had "played a get out of jail card" to record the victory.

Updated: 12:38 Wednesday, January 12, 2005