Malton & Norton squad likely to be unchanged ahead of Northern game (From Gazette & Herald)

Malton & Norton squad likely to be unchanged ahead of Northern game

By Steve Carroll »

Malton & NORTON RUFC will resist the temptation to swing the axe following one of their “worst displays of the season” last weekend.

Promising Ali Heard, centre, is tipped for action for Malton & Norton against Northern tomorrow

Beaten 34-29 at Durham City, Malton scored five tries and salvaged two bonus points, but the North One East defeat drew the ire of club chiefs, who will look for better when struggling Northern come to The Gannock.

Club spokesman Bill Laidler said the squad would likely be the same as went to Durham, with head coach Chris Creber out through injury for another week, giving them the chance to redeem themselves against a Newcastle outfit with only six wins this season and against whom Malton picked up their only away win of the campaign to date.

“No-one seemed to want to take responsibility,” said Laidler of the Durham debacle. “This was one of Malt’s worst displays of the season and they must improve their concentration and stick to the plan in the coming weeks if they are to get back to winning ways.”

Laidler, however, certainly isn’t taking Northern for granted.

“Kicking was the difference in that game up there, although we were the better side,” he added. “The squad will be exactly the same as last week and they will look to put it right.

“The youngsters are starting to put a little bit of pressure on (the first team).

“Ali Heard had a run-out last weekend and, whether he starts or is on the bench, he will certainly get another run-out. We’ve got too many players for some positions but you have to play around that.”