Relegation crisis

A win at home against Old Brodlians, who are currently four points adrift of Malt, would probably save them from relegation to Yorkshire Two, a league that is clearly beneath them.

"We have been unlucky in some games and lost by a couple of points where we could easily have come out winners, " said Laidler. "But against Scarborough we were terrible. In fact it was possibly the worst display for quite some time. Scarborough were far more motivated and clinical in their execution than the visitors, who at times looked like rabbits caught in the headlights."

He added: "It would be a body blow to get relegated, but if we did we would just have to get back up as quickly was possible."

Another blow for the club is the announced departure of skipper Chris Creber, who is returning to his native Australia.

"He's been with us for nine or 10 years now, and he'll be missed, " said Laidler.

On Saturday, as early as the fourth minute Scarborough posted their intentions.

Keeping possession for several passages of play they swung play from one side of the pitch to the other and then back again without a Malton hand touching the ball once to score a very good try in the corner.

The visitors fought back well and Scarborough were caught off side at a ruck 30 metres out for Ian Cooke to get Malton onto the scoreboard.

Both sides were attempting to play open rugby on a perfect surface and on Malt's next foray into the Scarborough half they took the lead with another Cooke penalty when the home side were penalised for holding onto the ball in a ruck after good Malton pressure at a set scrum.

Scarborough then took full control and it was Malton who were forced into making errors.

Firstly, after losing possession in mid field, they were forced into the corner after being caught off side. A clean catch and drive took the home pack over the line for their second try in the corner. Centre Marcus Edwards added the extras with a fine kick.

With half time looming they stretched the lead with another good piece of play which saw some swift handling and determined running result in the third try of the half. Again Edwards converted to give his side a 19 points to six interval lead.

There was still hope for Malton to revive their performance and they had the opportunity to capitalise when influential Scarborough flanker Junior Tupai was sin binned for a cynical high tackle on a Malton forward.

However, the opportunity was lost and it was Scarborough who added to their tally, again outpacing Malton in the threequarters to get the touchdown. Many Malton heads were now dropping and a mix up in communication after dropping the ball deep in defence enabled the homesters to get another try.

Malton then rallied briefly and sensibly kept the ball amongst the forwards where they did have some semblance of control. Duncan Foster and Chris Robson led from the front and from a sustained period of pressure the ball was eventually released to the backs for Ian Cooke to carve his way over close to the posts for a try which he duly converted. Scarborough though were not finished and again seized on poor Malton handling in defence to get yet another break away try to seal a thoroughly disappointing day for the Malton following and gain the bragging rights after demolishing any Malton hopes of victory with a truly ruthless performance.

Individually, it is arguable whether Scarborough have any better players than Malton but they showed far more commitment and drive, qualities somewhat lacking in the visiting side. Notable exceptions to this malaise were the tight five forwards who manfully tried to right matters all afternoon to no avail.