MALTON & Norton will be eyeing back-to-back wins for only the second time this season when they host struggling Rochdale on Saturday (2.15pm).

The Ryedale side fielded a young, patched-up team against North One East basement side Sheffield at The Gannock last Saturday and emerged with a 21-18 success.

The home side, who had coach Chris Creber back on the touchline following his recent ban for dissent, were forced to withstand a late Sheffield barrage, but hung on for their fifth win in 11 league matches.

Spokesman Bill Laidler said: “Much of the credit goes to the pack, in which Ed Gwilliam was at his belligerent best.

“There was also some great defensive work in the backs, particularly from Ian Cooke and Harry Shepherd. “As always George Harrison was everywhere and, with such a young side on display, coach Chris Creber can be pleased with the efforts of his charges and look forward to entertaining Rochdale on Saturday.”

Malton started slowly and conceded the first points after four minutes when Peterborough referee Nicola Reynolds – the first woman to officiate in a league game at The Gannock – awarded a penalty when they were on the wrong side of a ruck.

Sheffield fly-half Jimmy Pearson bagged the three points with a long-distance kick.

The visitors, although outgunned in the pack, were determined to get the ball wide to their fast backs and, with 12 minutes gone, a period of pressure was rounded off with a try in the corner by winger James Twomey. The score brought Malton to life and minutes later they had their first points on the board. A clean lineout catch was driven deep into scoring territory before being released to the backs.

Full-back Ian Cooke, who was the stand-out player, came into the line, and weaved and danced his way through the traffic to touch down. Charlie Ramsay converted.

As the home pack began to dominate their opponents in the set-piece and lineout, they deprived the visitors of any worthwhile ball. In the 24th minute another clean take at a lineout 10 metres from the Sheffield line was again driven with great control. As the maul neared the whitewash, scrum-half Henry Newitt took control and touched down to move Malt further ahead. Sheffield looked dangerous when they had the ball, but fine tackling from Cooke and centre Shepherd snuffed out several good attacks. The hosts led 14-8 at half-time and the first 20 minutes of the second half saw Malton dominate possession and territory, without being able to find a way through.

When Malt were awarded a penalty for offside, Ramsay’s kick rebounded off a post and was cleared. Sheffield then produced a period of controlled rugby to drive deep into Malton’s 22-metre area. The speed of their outside backs proved too much for a stretched defence and a try in the corner by full-back Alex Hill narrowed the gap to one point.

From the restart a James Bulmer kick from defence was taken by Hill, who was immediately engulfed by Shepherd and Harrison. Cooke was also on hand to strip the full-back of the ball and embark on a run from halfway to the line for his second try.

Ramsay’s conversion was successful and Sheffield needed to score twice to overtake Malton.

With 10 minutes left, Sheffield lifted themselves for one last effort. Taking a lineout five metres out, they set up a drive to the corner for hooker Adam Walls to touch down. But Pearson’s conversion attempt rebounded off a post and Malton held out for the win.

Malton: I Cooke, R Dempsey, H Shepherd, C Ramsay, R Dempsey, P Angus, J Bulmer, H Newitt, R Featherstone, N Salisbury, E Gwilliam, D Foster, J Lumley, T Parsons, G Harrison, S Emms. Subs (all used): T Lowry, J Machin, M Bradshaw.