MALTON and Norton RUFC were made to battle hard for a 22-12 win at Hullensians hosts battling against the drop from Yorkshire One.

A reshuffle of the Malton pack saw Mark Bradshaw move to hooker and Josh Heggie from centre to number eight, Tom Newitt filling the space in the threequarters.

The home side came out with all guns blazing and went ahead with a penalty for offside.

But Newitt produced a strong run from defence to get into the hosts’ half. Phases of pick and drive followed from the pack and prop forward Rob Featherstone struck from short range. Zweli Sodladla converted.

On the quarter hour Malton were penalised for off side at a scrum and the difference was reduced to one point.

Five minutes later Malton were behind. Heggie was harshly penalised for holding onto the ball in a ruck and was shown a yellow card. A successful penalty increased the punishment and the lead widened with another penalty for a 12-7 half-time lead.

Coach Chris Creber’s harsh half-time lecture pulled Malton together for the second period, but as early as the fourth minute they were reduced to 14 men when substitute flanker George Harrison and a Hullensians forward were shown yellow cards following a small fracas.

However, Malton were awarded the penalty and Sodladla slotted the ball between the posts.

With ten minutes gone a Hullensians clearance failed to make touch and Sodladla collected and made a good run along the line before handing on to centre Vusumzi Dyantjies who sprinted in for the try.

Malton were now showing signs of their full potential as Hullensians’ discipline began to disintegrate in a flurry of yellow cards.

Among a succession of penalties Harrison took a quick tap and made good yardage before a ruck which produced fast ball.

With the home defence stretched good handling teased the ball to skipper Sam Triffitt who was credited with the score which took the game away from Hullensians. Ian Cooke’s conversion completed the scoring.

Malton host Pontefract in the Yorkshire Shield next Saturday.