Morley 17 Malton & Norton 30

THE PITCH at Morley’s Scatcherd Lane is the largest in size in the Regional Two North East and so provided the perfect opportunity for Malton to demonstrate their knowhow.

It had also proved to be fallow ground for Malton in the sides’ previous meetings in Leeds, but it was the visitors who ran out 17-30 winners on Saturday.

The visitors however made a disastrous start to proceedings following a mistake from the kick-off, with Morley taking advantage of the resulting penalty to take a three-point advantage inside the opening minute.

The big home pack soon showed their mettle with early possession but an overcooked kick to touch just outside their 22 metre line gave Malton position.

Earning a penalty themselves, the visitors drew level in the fourth minute.
Matt Bowman received the restart and drove forward, linking up with Ali Fothergill, who crossed for a hat-trick of tries for Malton last weekend.

He then played the ball to Jacob Stephenson, but the home defence bundled him into touch just a few metres short of the line.

In the 10th minute, midfielder Tom Foan had to be substituted following a head wound, with Bowman moving from hooker to centre, and prop Tom Featherstone making an early introduction from the bench.

The next 10 minutes turned into a kicking duel, with both sides using the full extent of the large pitch.

However, a sudden change of tactics from Stephenson, who linked up with a number of supporting players before passing to Will Bell, saw the latter jink his way to the whitewash to take his side into a 10-3 lead midway through the half.

Morley replied instantly with constant pressure in Malton’s red zone and their reward came four minutes later, Ian Maycock crashing over to take the score to 10 points apiece.

But Malton needed just two minutes to restore their advantage, Nick Salisbury crossing the line to add another seven points to their score after a drive through the Morley defensive line.

The hosts used their heavy and mobile back row to good effect, bringing the scores level once again on the stroke of half time.

Running out of their defence, Malton were stripped of the ball in the tackle, the home winger skipping down the touch line and under the uprights.

The second half opened with Malton losing Bowman for 10 minutes, the stand-in midfielder sent to the sidelines after using colourful and intemperate language in an altercation with the referee.

Morley tried to utilise the numerical advantage but, again, last ditch tackling kept them at bay. 

The visitors looked to make the breakthrough, reshuffling the pack with an hour gone after bringing on their remaining substitutes and restoring a patched-up Foan to the midfield.

With the home pack tiring and losing their shape, Malton were rewarded for their persistence and unwavering energy.

In the 65th minute, Rob Featherstone was left with the simplest of finishes after burrowing over nose first from two metres out to restore his side’s five-point advantage.

Morley began to give up a few penalties in their search for points, with Paul Angus slotting over for the regulation three points, giving Malton a two-score advantage with 10 minutes left to play.

Malton were in total control and completed the scoring with three minutes remaining.

Off the back of an impressive performance, Bowman forced his way over the line to earn the try bonus point, and give Malton their first ever win at Scatcherd Lane.

Malton & Norton remain third following the win, and are next in action against Old Crossleyans at the Gannock on Saturday (2.15pm kick-off).