MALTON & Norton snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to win 20-16 at Old Brodlieans and rise to second place in Yorkshire One.

Hipperholme has traditionally not been a good hunting ground for Malton, but a battling performance against a committed home side ended with reward as winger Sizwe Zondo somehow emerged with the ball from a ruck and strolled over for the winning try.

This came after Malt's Mark Bradshaw was sin-binned and Brods themselves had scored with only five minutes left to seemingly win the game and climb away from the lower reaches of the table.

Malton leapfrogged neighbours York and Scarborough and, although they remain nine points adrift of big-spending unbeaten leaders Doncaster Phoenix, spokesman Bill Laidler said of the Ryedale outfit: "This side is now settling down as a very efficient unit.

"The defence is excellent and the fitness and work ethic of the pack can only be admired.

"The threequarters are still finding their feet but some of their running is from the top drawer and the dividends will soon be produced.

"Malton entertain Pontefract at The Gannock on Saturday and with no serious injuries competition for places will be great."

Playing against the slope in the first half at Old Brodlieans, Malton soon found themselves in arrears when the backs were caught off side at a ruck after two minutes and Brods accepted the three points on offer.

The deficit could have been extended after 10 minutes when the hosts were awarded a free kick five metres out. A quick tap and brought a touchdown only for Brods to be brought back because the kick had not been in sight of the referee.

Malton then came to life with the pack dominating the set piece and exerting tremendous pressure on the home line for long periods. Flanker Ali Coe eventually crossed the whitewash but was adjudged to have been held up.

Brods managed to clear the danger and make progress downfield and they added to their score when Malt number eight Bradshaw tripped an attacker - being very fortunate to get away with just a talking to and penalty rather than a red card.

Old Brods were running strongly at times but the Malton defence was solid with fly-half Nick Daley putting in some big tackles to drive them back.

A good break from skipper Sam Triffitt then took Malton deep into the home 22-metre area and, when the tackler failed to release his man, Zwelakhe Sodladla had no trouble in converting the penalty.

From the restart, Brods were given another penalty when the Malton backs were again caught lingering in offside positions and the three points ended the half with Malton trailing 9-3.

Playing down the slope in the second period, the Malton pack became almost totally dominant in the scrum, pushing the Brods eight back at regular intervals.

Only good handling at the base by the home number eight saved his side on numerous occasions as the Malt tide swarmed forward.

With two minutes gone, Sodladla reduced the deficit when Brods strayed offside.

Malton were pounding away at the home line and good drives and ball retention gave hooker Nick Salisbury the touchdown in the corner for the first try of the game. A fine conversion by Sodladla put Malton into a 13-9 lead.

Brods were not going to give in easily, though, and still posed problems when in possession. Again the Malton defence held firm and with the game entering the fourth quarter, the visitors appeared to score again with another forward drive. However, the referee disallowed the score deciding a Malton player had entered from the wrong position.

Brods then broke out but were dispossessed in the Malton 22. A long kick downfield by Sodladla bounced over the head of the home full-back and Sodladla, following up at speed, managed to get a toe to the ball and race clear only to see it run dead before he could touch it down.

With the game drawing to a close and Malton holding onto their lead well, another piece of indiscipline from Bradshaw - a high tackle - saw him consigned to the sin-bin.

From the penalty, Brods kicked to the corner. A catch and drive moved the mass forward and the right winger took a short pass to cross in the corner. A good conversion meant Brods now led 16-13 with only five minutes to play.

Back came Malton to set up a ruck in the home 22, from which Zondo somehow came up with his heroics, Sodladla adding the extras to cap a good performance.

Malton: Z Sodladla, B Woodhouse (M Perkins 68), M Perkins (J Heggie 48), V Dyantjies, S Zondo, N Daley, P Angus, N Salisbury (J Lumley 60), J Thornton, R Featherstone, S Emms, J Rounthwaite, A Coe, S Triffitt, M Bradshaw.

Malton & Norton 2nds lost 32-13 to Old Brodlieans 2nds - in a performance that mirrored the weather at The Gannock.

Malt started brightly in bright warm sunshine but deteriorated badly in the second half as dark clouds and persistent rain arrived.

A penalty by Lawley put Malt ahead and, although Brods struck back on 25 minutes with a converted try, the hosts soon crossed out wide to go 8-7 up.

However, Brods replied with a penalty just before half-time and the second half exposed Malton’s weaknesses out wide, as opportunities to score were squandered by poor handling and passing while tackling left a lot to be desired.

Brods established superiority by going 20-8 up by the hour mark and they went further clear with two more tries and one conversion before the Malton pack – which performed well - rallied and gained a consolation try from a rolling maul.