NEWLY-PROMOTED Malton & Norton RUFC made a winning start to life in North One East with a 32-25 victory over Cleckheaton.

The Ryedale side won an entertaining nine-try battle at The Gannock, although the outcome was in doubt right up to the final whistle.

Club spokesman Bill Laidler said Malt had claimed a “good scalp”, adding: “Each and every member of Malton’s 18-man squad can be proud of their achievement in a very good team performance.”

Malton were quickly into their stride and a good forward drive led by Liam Vaughan resulted in a penalty, which Teei Piawi converted. The lead lasted only two minutes, however, as Cleckheaton drove forward before spreading the ball wide for wing Martin Broomhead to cross in the corner.

Scrum-half Ross Hayden converted. Malton again pressed from the restart and, from a Cleckheaton scrum in midfield, home scrum-half Dan Cattle pressurised the visitors into losing possession. He hacked forward and raced towards the line, controlling the ball superbly with his feet before touching down between the posts. Piawi had no problem with the conversion.

The Malton threequarters were proving a handful, with centres Jarad Williams and Jordan Ajimati making ground whenever they were in possession.

With the pack supporting them, they gained ground and second-row Rich Webster broke free to score under the posts. Piawi again added the extras. A minute later, a good break by Piawi and a perfect pass sent wing Tom Newitt over from half way to make it 22-7.

However, Cleckheaton were far from finished and they hit back to make it 22-20 at half-time. Malton were penalised for holding onto the ball after a tackle and Hayden added the three points. The visitors took advantage of some slack marking and tackling by Malton and spread the ball wide for wing Craig Blackburn to cross. As the half drew to a close, Malton lost their ball at a lineout close to the line and Cleck set up a drive for flanker Ryan Piercy to cross.

After the interval, another good Malton forward effort took play into the corner before the ball was released to the backs and Piawi used his deft footwork to cross for a well deserved try. Williams and Piawi then created the space for Ajimati to speed to the line from half way for his first try in Malton colours. Cleckheaton again made a comeback. Taking possession from a ruck on the Malton 22-metre line, an inch-perfect kick across field found Broomhead in acres of space and he crossed unopposed. Malton finished the stronger as they pressed for a sixth try and they were held short just before the final whistle.

Malton travel to Doncaster side Wheatley Hills on Saturday (3pm).