OUT-OF-SORTS Malton & Norton RUFC have been warned to cut out the unforced errors after suffering a 53-12 defeat at Billingham in North One East.

After winning two of their opening three games following promotion, Malton were brought crashing back down to earth on Teesside by the slick handling and pace of a Billingham side who ran in nine tries to two.

Bill Laidler, spokesman for the Ryedale side, said: “It was a very poor overall performance from us.

“We can play much better rugby than we produced in this match.

“Billingham are a very good side with possibly the best set of backs we have faced for a few seasons, but we must cut out the unforced errors in our game.

“At this level any mistakes are punished severely.”

The Gannock side did well in the opening minutes but, when possession was lost in centre field, the home side quickly turned defence into attack.

They swept upfield to cross the line, only to be held up.

Malt’s defence from the scrum was initially firm but, when Billingham took advantage of the extra men on the right, the first try came in the corner. From that point on, Malton were never in the game.

Billingham were more alert and took full advantage of the visitors’ lethargy with a quickly-taken penalty to slice open the Malton defence for a second try after 11 minutes.

Yet again, Malton were conceding far too many penalties and, when the home side kicked to the corner, a clean line out take was driven on for the third try and a score of 19-0 after only 17 minutes.

Malton briefly came to life and from a lineout on the left-hand side they retained possession well with some good handling across the field.

A strong run from right wing Josh Saunders was halted just short of the line, but the pack were on hand to carry on the drive and Liam Vaughan burrowed his way over for a try.

Any hopes of a revival were dashed as Billingham again showed their greater urgency with another try scored from a quick tap penalty as the Malton players stood and watched.

The poor defence was once more exposed on half-time when four tackles were missed in the lead up to the sixth try of the half.

Malton made a couple of substitutions at the interval, but the Teessiders’ tails were up and they scored two tries in quick succession.

There was another brief Malton flurry, which produced a try for centre Jarad Williams following good ball retention for once following a scrum.

But Billingham struck back in the final minute with another lineout catch and drive to get the ninth and final try.

Morpeth are the visitors to The Gannock on Saturday when Malt will look to get the show back on the road – and preserve their 100 per cent home record.

Malton: I Cooke, J Saunders, J Williams, T Piawi, T Newitt, T Collard (B Martin 60mins), D Cattle, L Vaughan, S Thompson (N Salisbury 40mins), A Turnbull, J Rounthwaite (D Foster 40mins), R Webster, A Mitchell, G Nutt, M Bradshaw.