HIGH-FLYING Malton & Norton put their Champagne rugby on ice for the second successive game to grind out an 18-15 win over lowly Old Brodleians – victory coming courtesy only of a late penalty.

The sides went into the game at opposite ends of the Yorkshire One table, but Malton spokesman Laidler had warned it was unlikely to be easy, especially after the Ryedale side only won the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign with a last-minute try by Sizwe Zondo.

And, with the winter weather also acting as a leveller, he was proved right – only the safe boots of Zweli Sodladla snatching the spoils as the clock ticked into stoppage time.

This 14th successive victory, though, like the 13th, was built on forward effort and grit, rather than the free-flowing flair of preceding weeks.

Laidler said: “For the second game in succession we showed that when necessary we can grind out results in poor conditions.

“The stars of the show were obviously the forwards with Ali Coe, James Thornton, Sam Triffitt and Jamie Rounthwaite all leading from the front with their colleagues not far behind.

“Credit must also go to Old Brodlieans, who gave as good as they got and will surely climb away from the lower regions with a few more performances like this.”

Unbeaten Yorkshire One leaders Doncaster Phoenix likewise eked out a 10-8 home victory over Scarborough – Malton’s neighbours just unable to do them a favour in the title race – so it was vital Malt did not slip up to stay within eight points of the summit, and just about in striking distance.

Added Laidler: “It was cold, wet and windy at The Gannock and the fact that any rugby at all was played was a minor miracle.

“There was never going to be any open, flowing rugby and the forward packs were going to decide the outcome.

“We travel to Pontefract this Saturday when another tough encounter is on the cards against another side fighting the drop.”

A big crowd saw Old Brodleians kick off, with Malton retaining possession and gaining ground with good close handling to gain ground.

Brods provided some stiff defence but had no answer to a forward drive in the 10th minute which saw skipper Sam Triffitt credited with the touchdown under the posts after another forward foray. Sodladla converted.

Handling was never going to be easy in the conditions and mistakes by both sides were quickly seized upon.

Midway through the half, following a Brods knock-on, Malton lost the ball at their own scrum. Brods’ number eight then broke blind and drew his man well before passing on to create the overlap for a try in the corner.

The conversion failed but the warning signs were there that this would not be an easy afternoon for the Malton pack at the set-pieces.

Five minutes later, Brods took the lead when they were awarded a penalty under the posts for a transgression at a ruck.

The Malton reply was immediate.

Regaining possession from the restart, the pack drove forward from a number of mauls. Eventually the opening appeared and the ever-alert Sodladla spotted the gap to race over for a deserved try.

With Malton’s scrum and lineout both under pressure, Brods were always a threat and, using the wind to their advantage, they set up position in the corner with half-time beckoning.

The Malton defence held firm for three catch and drives but could not hold the final assault from a fourth and Brods took a 15-12 lead into the interval.

Malton levelled inside a minute of the resumption when Brods were penalised at a ruck and Sodladla kicked the three-pointer.

The remainder of the half was a battle between the packs, with Brods holding sway at the set-pieces but Malton having the upper hand around the pitch in open play.

When danger threatened, both defences were up to the mark and play was mainly in midfield.

The score remained locked at 15-15 - until the decisive finale.

A break came with 40 minutes completed. Brods were penalised 30 metres out at a ruck and Sodladla had no hesitation in opting for a kick at goal, despite the tricky underfoot conditions.

Borrowing Ian Cooke’s higher kicking tee, he sent the ball cleanly between the posts to record the winning score.

Old Brodleians were not finished and in injury-time had a series of scrums on half-way to seriously pressurise Malton, but the hosts held firm and when they finally got their hands on the ball Sodladla swiftly sent it into the crowd to end the game.

 S Zondo, I Cooke, V Dyantjies, J Heggie, B Woodhouse, N Daley, Z Sodladla, N Salisbury, J Thornton, R Featherstone, D Cooke, J Rounthwaite, G Harrison, S Triffitt, A Coe, Subs: (all used) C Stark, S Thompson, T Casey.