Malton dish out heavy defeat (From Gazette & Herald)

Malton dish out heavy defeat

Durham/Northumberland One: Malton & Norton 74, North Shields 5

A twelve-try bonanza by Malton ensured that the large crowd were kept fully entertained and warmed as Malton went on a scoring spree. Visitors North Shields offered some resistance in the pack but had no answer to Malton slick handling and running.

In the opening minute, Ian Cooke started a move from the wing which centre Ryan Lonsdale carried on before putting number eight forward over for the opening try. Ben Hough converted and the show was on the road.

Within minutes, Malton were further ahead. Flanker David Cooke, back to his barnstorming best after injury, opened up the defence with a strong run, which was carried on by Lonsdale, who handed on to skipper Chris Creber, who sliced through the second line of defence to put Ian Cooke over in the corner.

North Shields, through their massive pack, desperately tried to get back into the game and threatened on a couple of occasions, but each assault was repelled and the lines were cleared.

Midway through the half and from a scrum 40 metres out, Creber again wrought havoc in the defence to send Lonsdale over for Hough to convert.

Shortly afterwards, Malton lost second row forward Duncan Foster to the sin bin for 10 minutes for a technical offence and North Shields took full advantage.

At a scrummage close to the Malton line, a powerful drive against Malton's reduced numbers produced a push over try for number eight Steve Hanson.

That was to be the last the visitors saw of the ball for the remainder of the afternoon as Malton changed into top gear and upped the pace considerably.

Ian Cooke, again, was the instigator. From halfway, he began a run which progressed through David Webster, Lonsdale and Creber to finally end up in the hands of prop forward James Machin who, for the second week running, showed a turn of pace not normally associated with prop forwards, to cross for their fourth try. Hough converted for Malton to hold a half time lead of 26-5.

For the second half, Malton rested Hough, to save his energy for a Yorkshire Under-20s fixture on Sunday, moving Ian Cooke to full back and bringing Liam Cowton onto the wing. The changes had no effect on Malton, who kept up the relentless pressure.

After seven phases of rucks and mauls, the ball went to the three-quarters where Webster made a lovely break to split the defence. The ball passed through several pairs of hands before Shaw again romped over for Cooke to convert.

Scores then came at regular intervals. Firstly from a set line out move which gave Shaw the opportunity to show his deft footwork to waltz over to be followed by possibly the try of the day. Using the full width of the pitch, Malton had the defenders grasping at air, and Lonsdale was on hand to round off a glorious move.

The same player again scored when Cowton made a strong burst from defence to move deep into North Shields territory to set up the burly centre for a trademark try.

Malton were now at their very best and, when substitute flanker Tom Anderson stole away from a maul on halfway, Cowton was on his shoulder to race along the touchline for a well deserved try.

More excellent handling by the home side produced further tries for Ian Cooke and Cowton to bring down the curtain on a thoroughly productive afternoon.

North Shields were completely outplayed but kept plugging away until the bitter end, refusing to capitulate as many other sides may have done in the circumstances.

The calm, sympathetic but efficient approach shown by Selby referee Paul Weaver also meant that the game was able to proceed with a flow which ensured players and spectators enjoyed good rugby.

After the game, coach Richard John was pleased with his side's performance: "Our team just clicked, and the conditions were perfect. But we can't use North Shields as a benchmark for our performance.

"We've still got to face Northern and Horden, who are fighting us for promotion."

Updated: 15:49 Wednesday, February 01, 2006