MALTON & Norton RUFC staged a second half comeback to salvage two points from their 29-22 defeat at Cleckheaton in North One East.

Malton, showing three changes from the previous week, started well, winning the first two lineouts on the Cleckheaton throw-in.

A promising breakout by Jack Hobbs was spoilt by a pass going astray. Two errors in succession saw Cleckheaton drive down to the Malton line and only a superb tackle by Ali Fothergill saved a certain seven points.

Any possession Malton gained was snuffed out by the ferocious tackling of the Cleckheaton defence.

Stemming the tide eventually proved impossible and on 23 minutes a glaring offside in midfield gave Cleckheaton a penalty 10 metres out on the right.

Opting for a scrum, the ball was moved left for a simple run in by the Cleckheaton number 11 for an unconverted try.

On 32 minutes, the Cleckheaton winger was put in for his second unconverted try. Three minutes later, the opposite winger benefitted from a kindly bounce to beat one man and waltz in for a five-pointer.

On the stroke of half-time another passing and looping interchange by the Cleckheaton backs saw their number 13 dot down near the posts for a converted try that made it 22-0.

Malton opened the second half with a good drive to the Cleckheaton 20-metre zone with Rob Featherstone, Matt Bowman and skipper Sam Triffitt to the fore.

James Bulmer dummied his man and fed the galloping Tom Lowry, who opened Malton's account on 43 minutes with an unconverted try.

On 51 minutes, Cleckheaton seized a scrap of possession and capitalised on some missed tackles for a seven-pointer.

A minute later Bowman was yellow carded for not letting the catcher of a high ball get back to ground.

The home side were hit a yellow card of their own on 57 minutes.

With Malton restored to a full side, Bulmer ghosted through a gap, leaving two would-be tacklers on the floor, score and convert his own try on 64 minutes.

With 10 minutes remaining, a good drive by the Malton eight set up the hard-working Lowry for his second unconverted try.

Time was running out but still Malton chased down the points and on 76 minutes intense pressure from Malton's pack saw Ali Fothergill pick up and score to claim fourth try and a bonus point on 78 minutes.

There is no game for Malton this weekend and they return to the Gannock on December 7 to host Scarborough.

Malton: Will Bell, Ali Fothergill, Tom Foan, Vus Dyantjies, Chris Joe, James Bulmer, Paul Angus, Pete Hopkins, Bailey Lamb, Rob Featherstone, Will Dunn, Jack Hobbs, Tom Lowry, Matt Bowman, Sam Triffitt (c). Subs: Nick Salisbury, Will Skinner (both used), Nathan Pratt (not used).