MALTON & Norton’s super start to the season continued with another impressive performance and a second successive derby victory.

After last week’s win over Scarborough, Malton despatched Selby 38-20 in front of a good crowd at the Gannock to stay second in Yorkshire One.

They are without a game this Saturday as scheduled opponents Acklam have conceded their Yorkshire Shield second round tie, and the week’s rest will allow one or two niggling injuries to heal in time for the following week when they travel to Wath upon Dearne.

Malt spokesman Bill Laidler said: “For the fourth week in succession we were able to field an almost unchanged side - the only change in that time being the return from injury of Ian Cooke.

“As a result there is an air of confidence within the side which was missing last season when injuries meant that several changes each week were necessary.

“Jamie Rounthwaite was named man of the match but anyone of the Malton side could have taken the accolade. The pack were again outstanding and behind them the young half-backs, Paul Angus and Nick Daley, again showed great maturity.”

Malton fell behind within three minutes after the threequarters were caught offside at a ruck on half-way. Selby fly-half Josh Cruise struck the penalty beautifully to warn the hosts of the threat from his boot.

But Malt took control from the restart. They were held up over the whitewash following a lineout close to the Selby line, but, from the ensuing five-metre scrum, a massive shove from the pack had the Selby eight in all sorts of bother and good control at the base gave number eight Bradshaw the touchdown, full-back Zweli Sodladla converting.

The dominant Malton pack continued to grind their opponents down with aggressive driving and handling, setting up camp in the Selby half. The visitors held out for 10 minutes until, from another scrum shove, Malton released the ball to set up a maul from which prop Rob Featherstone, who improves with every game, touched down. Again Sodladla converted.

Both sides were getting frustrated at the refereeing and, when Selby were penalised for dissent, Sodladla took a tap penalty and linked with fly-half Daley, who put centre Josh Heggie away to score under the posts, Sodladla goaling.

Selby could have been swamped but they did not stop fighting and Malt needed good defence to hold them at arm’s length. Centre Vusumzi Dyantjies was the standout with some crushing tackles, despite his small stature.

On the half hour, Selby got the reward for their efforts. A penalty to the corner gave them a lineout and a clean catch and drive produced a try for prop Duncan Hardy.

Both sides had a player sin-binned for technical offences as the half ended 21-8. One more touchdown was needed by Malton for the try bonus point and that came within five minutes of the resumption.

Sean Emms took a lineout cleanly and again the Malton pack trundled forward. This time Nick Salisbury got the score in the corner.

Selby hit back as slick handling in the threequarters opened up the home defence and wing Iain Adamson crossed to make it 26-13.

But Malton again went for the jugular. A poor Selby clearance was picked up by wing Sizwe Zondo, who went on a mazy run before setting up a ruck from which quick ball was produced for the backs. A defence-splitting run then saw Sodladla cross and convert.

A flurry of yellow cards followed, all for technical offences, but both sides held their discipline well.

On the half-hour, Malton extended the lead when they sent first-phase scrum ball across the backs for Zondo to cross in the corner for a deserved individual try.

As the game drifted to its close, Selby took advantage of gaps in the defence for replacement prop Joe Romaniw to bag a consolation 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, G Barker.