Splash and grab as Malton & Norton start with cup win (From Gazette & Herald)

Splash and grab as Malton & Norton start with cup win

2:34pm Wednesday 29th August 2012 in Sport

Malton & Norton kicked off their campaign in good style despite heavy downpours, with a 17-5 home win over Old Crossleyans in round one of the Yorkshire Cup.

The Ryedale side’s reward for their win at a rain-lashed Gannock is a round two clash, as major underdogs, against either Wharfedale or Otley.

It also set them up nicely for this Saturday’s North One East league opener away to Morpeth, knowing a number of players as yet unavailable due to farming and cricket commitments are due back to strengthen the squad.

A deluge delayed the kick off against Crossleyans for 10 minutes and, with rains continuing, handling errors were frequent as players splashed about on the watery surface.

Nevertheless Malton, who included several of last season’s successful second string, settled quicker than their guests, who likewise had fielded a mixed team.

A good drive involving most of the home pack, which included John Dobson, pictured, had the visitors reeling and flanker Sam Triffitt seized the opportunity to break free 10 metres out and force his way over in the corner. Ali Heard added a fine conversion from the touchline.

There was no further score before half-time but Malton controlled the majority of the game. Old Crossleyans had more of the play in a second period with less rain, but the hosts were well served by man-of-the-match Jamie Rounthwaite, hooker Alex Whittaker and number eight John Dobson.

Midway through the period, Rounthwaite burst out of his own half and Whittaker forced his way over. Heard again converted.

From the restart, Malt added to the tally. A burst from Dobson took play deep into the visitors’ half and Heard kicked a penalty.

This triggered a raft of substitutions for Malton with a number of players being given a chance to shine on debut. None of them fell short of the mark. Crossleyans did hit back with a consolation try but Malton’s victory and progress in the competition was not threatened.

Malton: I Cooke, T Riddolls, R Armitage, A Heard, T Clark, C Ramsay, D Cattle, P Dobson, A Whittaker, N Salisbury, S Emms, J Rounthwaite, S Triffitt, G Nutt, J Dobson. Subs (all used): J Cattle, T Casey, D Johnson, D Cole, A Ramsay.