Malton heading for play-off showdown (From Gazette & Herald)

Malton heading for play-off showdown

Durham/Northumberland One: Ryton 7, Malton & Norton 27; A cold afternoon in the Tyne Valley is not everybody's idea of enjoyment but the faithful Malton fans, who again matched their counterparts in numbers, are to be applauded for seeing their team to another victory.

The quality of early play from both sides was poor, with mistakes aplenty as they both gave away vital possession at regular intervals. In Malton's case it was mainly through over-elaboration, and that they failed to stamp any form of authority on the game.

Malton broke the ice on the half hour when Ryton were penalised for obstruction and Ian Cooke, who was the day's shining light for Malton, kicked the penalty for the lead.

Malton always looked the more dangerous side but could not put enough phases of play together to make an impression.

The breakthrough came on the stroke of half time when Duncan Foster took good lineout ball which was driven on before being released to the backs, for fly half Chris Creber to exchange passes with centre David Webster, who put Ian Cooke over in the corner to give Malton an eight-point advantage at the break.

Malton took control of the second half with immediate effect. From a scrummage 20 metres out, number eight forward Richard Webster made ground before creating a ruck which produced quick ball for centre Ryan Lonsdale to power over for a try. Cooke to converted.

Now playing a simpler game and keeping Ryton pinned back with accurate kicks to the corner, Malton maintained the pressure but it was a further 20 minutes before another score came. Again, it was from a break from the base of the scrum by Webster, who fed Creber, who handed on to Ian Cooke, who used wing Liam Cowton as a foil to ghost through the defence for his second try.

Ryton then began something of a revival through a series of forward drives but had little to offer behind the pack. This fact was underlined when they attempted to pass the ball along the line, only for David Webster to seize on a slight knock on to race the full length of the pitch to touch down under the posts. Great credit goes to the referee who played an excellent advantage and allowed play to continue when it was thought he would blow for the offence. Ian Cooke added the extras.

Ryton gamely battled on and gained reward in the dying minutes after putting together a series of forward drives which resulted in a consolation try and conversion.

Not the most impressive of displays but, more importantly, Malton kept their winning league sequence going and the pressure is now building towards the finale.

With most of the wounded now recovered and with one or two players returning from foreign climes, strength in depth is now showing as the promotion battle hots up.

Coach Richard John said: "The conditions were more or less perfect, but we didn't play very well. It was quite scrappy. We did really well for about 20 minutes in the second half. The rest of the time leaves a lot to be desired.

"We need to win the remaining games and hopefully get a chance for promotion.

"Horden have overhauled the points difference when they played TDSOB, so when we play them we might have to beat them significantly. But we'll see what happens."

Updated: 16:11 Wednesday, March 15, 2006