MALTON & Norton scored over 30 points for the third successive week as a blistering first half paved the way for their 33-7 triumph against Morley in the Regional Two North East.

After rattling up 28 points before the break, it looked as if drought conditions had set in, but a 77th-minute try relieved the ennui in front of their home fans.

A near-full strength Malton took to the field to accept the visitors’ kick-off.

It was Morley who set off with their tails up, with their big forwards initially making headway, and their powerful full-back not afraid to run at the first line of defence.

However, Malton held out well, and found themselves in front with less than 10 minutes played when Sam Triffitt burst through, setting up Will Bell - via Ali Fothergill - to score out wide.

Fly-half Shane Poole and his opposite number then indulged in some kick-tennis which Poole won convincingly as the Morley no10 failed to find touch on the third rally.

Blair Foster took the loose ball up to the 20-metre line and with the visitors straying offside, an easy three points were added to their tally.

Four minutes later, an excellent penalty touch finder from Poole set up a line-out 10 metres out from the Morley line, with Bell allowed to walk over into the corner for his second of the afternoon to extend Malton’s lead to 13.

Malton added to their lead again midway through the half when the visitors coughed up another penalty just inside their own half.

Poole marshalled his forwards into almost the same position as he had previously, with a catch and drive sending Ted Wainwright across the whitewash.

However, the visitors responded, adding their only points of the afternoon after profiting from some slack Malton defence to cross into the corner before adding the extras.

But the final word of the half was the hosts’, a strong break from Tom Foan setting up Triffitt to cross for another seven points.

And with the visitors guilty of giving up successive penalties, the skipper pointed to the uprights, Poole firing Malton into a 28-7 lead at the break.

In minute 34 back in the Morley half a strong break from Foan in midfield set up Triffitt to claim a 7 pointer. 25-7

The visitors were guilty of giving up a succession of penalties in the next five minutes and with half time approaching together with a healthy lead the skipper pointed to the uprights as they came within range for a Poole penalty. 28-7

Following a good all-round first half for the men in black with Angus, Lowry, Wainwright and skipper Triffitt leading the way, the large crowd anticipated more entertainment in the next 40 minutes.

With the deteriorating pitch now having its influence on proceedings, the next 40 minutes were an example of rugby at its most humdrum.

Indeed, the highlight of the opening minutes was the sight of a club member driving his large and heavy four-wheel-drive vehicle slowly round three sides of the pitch on the grass, purpose unknown, leaving the ground staff with extra work on Monday!

Malton had their chances early on in this half but a bit of white line fever combined with doughty Morley defence put paid to increasing the score. On 55 minutes Reed came off the bench for a 10-minute cameo before he nonchalantly trotted off with a yellow card in his back pocket.

The game had gone flat, exemplified when Malton’s fullback ignored the loud instructions from his coach to take a quick throw in and seemed content to watch the clock tick down another 60 seconds or so, and the impression was given that the home side were content to sit on their 23-point lead with the try bonus point in the bag.

It was left to the 77th minute for the opening and solitary try of the half when no8 Triffitt was the beneficiary of a pushover try. 33-7

Another trip to Halifax is on the menu for Malton and Norton in a fortnight, when Old Crossleyans are the hosts.