MALTON & Norton made a winning start to the new Regional Two north east season, holding off Rochdale 18-15 at The Gannock.

The hosts started well in the sweltering conditions, enjoying plenty of possession inside the Rochdale half, but struggling to convert their chances.

A series of strong offensive tackles put the visitors firmly on the back foot, but Malton perhaps made the wrong decision to put a penalty into the corner rather than opting for a goal, and Rochdale were able to clear their lines.

James Bulmer then won his side a five-metre scrum to the left of the posts, the hosts reaping the rewards as Shane Poole converted under the uprights to give his side a three-point lead after 22 minutes.

Opening game rustiness made for an at times painful watch from the sidelines, with the score seemingly galvanising the visitors, who are expected to be a force to be reckoned with.

Thomas Barker provided a try-saving tackle as Rochdale found themselves one-on-one, but Malton fell quickly behind.

Coughing up a touch-line penalty inside their 10-metre zone, the visitors took the points on offer with a copybook line-out.

Things went from bad to worse for the Ryedale outfit as a high tackle from Eddie Browne earned him 10 minutes in the sin-bin, Rochdale making their man advantage count with a sublime try from their winger, who dotted down to give them a seven-point half-time lead.

Malton’s rear guard were nowhere to be seen as the visitors extended their advantage two minutes after the interval, their prop crashing over for another five points.

Despite their play being a polar opposite of their electric start, the introduction of Tom Stone soon put things right for the hosts.

They rose from their lethargic state, beginning to produce some outstanding attacking play.

Malton got themselves back into the hunt from a penalty that saw the visitors reduced to 14 men, before both Blair Foster and Rob Featherstone were held up across the line.

And the pressure soon told, Stone forcing his way across the whitewash to leave his side just two points adrift.

That saw momentum shift firmly in the hosts’ favour, and they found themselves back in the lead after a moment of Bulmer magic.

He burst forward 30 metres before his backhand flip as he was tackled was collected by the supporting backs, Featherstone crashing over with a trademark drive from close range.

A penalty won after the Rochdale manager was penalised for backchat then confirmed victory for the hosts.

All three of Malton’s teams head to Scarborough tomorrow (3pm).