MALTON & Norton bagged bragging rights in their first derby of the Yorkshire One season - and in doing so stayed on the coattails of unbeaten league leaders Doncaster Phoenix.

Malton won 30-18 at Scarborough to make it six wins from eight games, notching a bonus-point try to boot.

And this was arguably their best display of the season.

Malton spokesman Bill Laidler reckoned the main difference in the sides was the comparative team work.

Laidler said: "Malton's pack looked like a well-drilled unit while Scarborough, with some good players in their ranks, looked towards individual effort.

"Young half-backs Paul Angus and Nick Daley, along with others, came of age in this game, but it is as a team that Malton base their success and this was a magnificent team effort."

Malton face another derby this Saturday, hosting mid-table Selby at The Gannock when kick off time reverts to 2.15pm.

Conditions were good for an autumnal day at Scarborough with an excellent surface and bright sun, but a stiff breeze reminded everyone this was still the north east coast of England.

Scarborough kicked off proceedings and immediately came at Malton with some good forward play and intelligent use of the boot to keep them in the visitors' half of the field.

When Malton were penalised for not rolling away after a tackle, the hosts took the lead with a well struck penalty kick.

However, after repelling further pressure for 10 minutes, Malton surged upfield with a ground-making break from Vusumzi Dyantjies, who then put Sizwe Zondo away on the left.

He was stopped just short of the try-line and Scarborough were able to clear the danger.

The writing, however, was on the wall.

The home side gained parity in the lineouts and scrums despite conceding a number of penalties at the set piece but they could not match Malton's pace and aggression around the field or at rucks and mauls.

On 20 minutes, following some good ball retention and driving from the pack, full-back Zwelakhe Sodladla and Zondo exchanged passes to give the ball to fly-half Daley, who neatly side-stepped his intended tackler to score the first try of the game.

From that point on, Malton did not look back.

Straight from the restart they struck again.

The initial drive from the pack gave them the momentum before setting up another Zondo dash along the touchline.

When he was stopped short of the line, the pack were again on hand to drive Ali Coe - who along with fellow flanker Sam Triffitt was outstanding throughout - over for a second try in as many minutes.

Sodladla converted and some Scarborough heads appeared to drop.

As the half neared its end, Boro were able to narrow the gap when Malton infringed at a ruck and another well struck penalty sailed between the posts to bring the score to 12-6. Indeed the goal kicking from both sides was excellent, given the blustery conditions, and this was again emphasised on half time when Sodladla extended the Malton lead with another good kick.

Malt began the second period meaning business, with the pack, led by Jim Thornton, making inroads.

When a Scarborough hand was detected in a ruck, Sodladla again made no mistake with the kick.

Two minutes later a great run from prop Rob Featherstone, having his best game since breaking into the side, took him well into home territory. Recycled ball was quickly shipped out to the wing where Zondo showed strength and ability to force his way out of tackles to cross. Sodladla again converted.

Boro briefly came back through the strong running Graeme Jeffrey, who with fellow wing Dummet showed good pace at times and could have caused more problems had they seen more of the ball.

Jeffrey was tackled just short but quickly recycled ball and a dummy produced the try.

Scarborough, though, were reduced to 14 men when a prop was shown a yellow card, although it was not clear why.

Malton took advantage as another good take and drive by the pack close to the touchline eventually got the ball into the hands of wing Ian Cooke, who, spotting there was nobody at home, deftly chipped and chased into the deep in-goal area to get Malt's fourth and bonus-point try.

The conversion brought the score to 30-13.

Still Malton kept pressing and another good bout of picking and driving seemed to be coming to a successful conclusion when a Malton player was yellow carded for an unnecessary offence. Scarborough cleared their lines and for 10 minutes played their best rugby of the game. A series of tap penalties got them to within striking distance and a determined effort ensured they had the last word with a try.

Malton: Z Sodladla, I Cooke, V Dyantjies, J Heggie, S Zondo, N Daley, P Angus, N Salisbury, J Thornton, R Featherstone, S Emms, J Rounthwaite, A Coe, S Triffitt, M Bradshaw. Subs (all used):J Lumley, C Birkett, B Woodhouse.

 

• Henry Newitt again starred as Malton 2nds beat Scarborough 2nds 27-22 in a merit table league match.

Most of the action took place the first half with the sides level at half time at 22-22.

Malton again had problems stopping opposition three-quarters as they scored four tries for Boro, with one conversion.

In reply, Malt’s first half was dominated by Newitt, playing at 10, who scored all of their points - four tries and one conversion.

The second half swung from end to end but neither team gained an advantage until Rob Dempsey won it with a determined run from 25 metres and a reach out to the whitewash.

The match was marred by a red card for a Scarborough forward for a stamp on an opponent's head.

The Malton pack played well but did not show the determination of previous games. Harry Owsten, at scrum-half, continued to improve.