Malton & Norton 34, Huddersfield YMCA 30; The score line may give the impression that this was a close game but for those present the reverse was true.

Malton dominated for long periods and could well have run out convincing winners.

The Malton pack took control very early on and caused the visitors to concede a penalty in the 6th minute which Ian Cooke duly slotted between the posts.

A period of stalemate followed but Malton were still in the driving seat and on the forty minute mark, after prop forward Paul Dobson had been held up over the line, a surge from the pack at the resultant scrum produced a try for number eight James Machin as the Malton eight drove over the line for the first push over try for many a long year.

Cooke added the extras and Malton were on the road to victory.

Indeed, Cooke was the shining light in a first half which can be best described as mediocre.

Huddersfield's only reply was a penalty from centre Dave Holmes to give Malton a 10 points to three interval lead.

The second half was totally different with both sides playing some excellent rugby.

In the opening minute Huddersfield closed the gap with a penalty when Malton held onto the ball too long at a tackle.

The Malton pack were in good form and should have been killing the opposition off in that department.

Their reward came, with no small amount of advice from the sidelines, when they took possession in mid field and Paul Dobson again excelled to release Machin to cross for his second try of the afternoon.

Cooke again converted. Huddersfield were always going to come back and did so rapidly.

A break down the left wing caught Malton short handed and, using the overlap to full advantage, sent in wing Chris Cowling for a deserved score.

Malton then showed what they can do.

George Mosey, on as replacement at full back, opened up a gap to put cousin Steve Mosey into free space to create havoc in the visitors defence before exchanging passes with his fellow backs to see George crashing over for a very well worked try.

Huddersfield again retaliated and a well worked move in mid-field gave centre Neil Walker the opportunity to stroll over for his side's second try.

Back came Malton, and another piece of sheer brilliance from Ian Cooke appeared to have sealed the game.

Receiving the ball some thirty metres out he set out on one of his long mazy runs to bamboozle not only the opposition, but many of his colleagues, to cross for a brilliant individual score. Needless to say he added the conversion.

Next came the score of the game. From mid-field Malton decided to open out. Some exquisite handling involving Cooke and both Moseys saw young scrum half Dan Cattle take an incredible pass to cross for a try which brought the house down.

With time ebbing away YMCA briefly rallied and score two tries deep into injury time to make the score line look like a very close game, when in fact Malton were by far the better side on the day.

There were some very good performances, notably from Paul Dobson, Ian Cooke, Steve Mosey and Dan Cattle, but above all it was the team effort which impressed and, if sustained, will soon see Malton in a more favourable position.