For a first match of the season the Under 13s put on a good performance especially as their squad was reduced by 6 regulars due to injury and other commitments. A number of new players were thrown in at the deep end and all performed well.

Josh Wetherill, Sam Duggan and James Pugh fitted into the scrum that matched and even won against the head against a strong York pack. However the revelation of the day and man of the match was a fearless performance on the wing by Nathan Pratt, who pulled of a number of crucial tackles at least won of which was try saving and also cleared his line with a well timed kick.

Further sustained defence by the whole team kept York at bay but despite excellent tackling notably by George Harrison and Tom Brader York scored a try in the first half. The flood gates could have opened in the second half, as by this time Malton were playing with one less man due to injury, however they continued to defend well although they struggled to get the ball down the line.

The York team were quickly up on them and they only managed a couple of attacking plays. York scored with the last move of the match to win 12-0 but Malton can take heart from this performance and competition for places will be hot when the full squad returns next week to take on Pocklington at Malton.

Man of the Match: Nathan Pratt

Malton took on a large physical team at Scarborough and their training began to show its rewards. Good positive play by the forwards saw scrum half, Tim Hunt nip round the blind side of a scrum 10 metres out to score an early try.

Cole Goodchild had the first of a number of charging runs and Joe Robinson supported by Nathan Pratt came close before Hunt scored his second from quick lineout ball.

Malton showed good skills but too many times players failed to pass or ran back into the scrum without capitalising on their superiority. Tom Brader managed to break through for a try in the corner and converted a difficult kick. Malton were attacking as the first half ended at 0-17.

Scarborough put up a stiff resistance and warmed to the task in the second half. Malton started to spread the ball across the field but failed to run onto it at pace. There were many encouraging signs, none more so than when Josh Wetherill at no.8 attacked well and scored his first try for Malton, which was converted by Brader.

Man of the match Cole Goodchild had an excellent game using his physical presence to gain ground, passing or making the ball available. The final score came after a number of scrums near Scarborough's line and George Harrison came close before Sam Annan picked up the ball and fought his way over to score his first try for the club to give a final score of 0-29 to Malton.

This was an encouraging performance where every player can take credit for his effort and determination.

Man of the Match: Cole Goodchild

Under13s Match report – 9th October 2005

Bridlington turned up with only seven and so two mixed teams of players from either side took to the field, more by way of a practice than a match.

Malton players performed well on both sides, with five of eight tries being scored by Malton players. There were good performances by a number of people and some good handling by newer players.

Sam Annan, Nathan Pratt and Freddy Ayres all played well and Alister Coe and James Dwyer were up quickly on their opposite numbers.

Andrew Arden, supported by Luke Jagger and newcomer Luis Welsh put up a spirited performance in a one sided scrum.

Alister Coe opened the scoring with further tries scored by Jack Howarth and Joe Robinson with two tries and a number of long runs by John Kennedy. Unfortunately the game saw injuries to Tom Brader and Andy Roberts both of whom had played well.

Hopefully some of the positive work can be put to better use next week at Beverley.

Note- the try allocated to Tom Brader last week against Scarborough was actually scored by Jack Howarth.


NOTE OF THANKS TO THOSE TAKING THE PICTURES... THEY'RE ADDING A LITTLE EXTRA TO OUR SITE

This was a very close and exciting match between a large and well drilled Sandal team and a Malton & Norton team who played with great spirit. All the coach’s training was rewarded with a strong scrum holding and matching a bigger opposition and backs running onto the ball and attacking and defending in equal measure.

Every player performed well; Alistair Wilkinson caught an early kick under pressure and immediately attacked. This was matched by John Kennedy and Jack Howarth, both of whom had good runs but also tackled well.

However Malton were in defence when Alistair Coe took a quick tap kick and passed to Charles Ramsay who caught Sandal off-guard and ran three quarters of the length of the pitch to score with Joe Robinson converting. Sandal were quick to respond with Malton’s scrum fighting a fierce defence for the rest of the half.

Ramsay and James Pugh put in good kicks. Andrew Arden, Cole Goodchild and Josh Wetherill added their weight to the fray but Sandal scored just before half time to make the score 5 - 7.

The second half saw more exciting play with Malton quickly up and disrupting Sandal. George Harrison, Sam Annan, Brodie Turnbull and James Dwyer all made their mark on the game. After great pressure from Malton it was John Kennedy that got the ball over the line to score late in the game.

Almost immediately Sandal replied to give a nail biting finish to a great game that Malton & Norton deservedly won 10 – 12.

In appalling conditions Malton took on a very large Bridlington team but they were one man short. Alistair Wilkinson agreed to play for them until injured just before half time.

Malton started well with the scrum front row of Luke Jagger, James Pugh and Andrew Arden managing to hold the bigger opposition and some early passing saw Alistair Coe score an opportunist try. Malton had to defend deep in their own territory and held up against a battering from Bridlington. With Bridlington all up in attack a quick pass down the line let John Kennedy slip through and gallop the length of the pitch to score under the posts, converted by Tom Brader.

Brader also had a good run but was brought up short of the line. More stern defence by Malton saw Josh Wetherill and Cole Goodchild use their weight and Sam Annan giving his all to defend the line. At half time despite having total territorial advantage Bridlington trailed 12 – 0.

Brodie Turnbull and Freddy Ayres replaced Andrew Arden and Sam Annan in the second half. Bridlington lifted their game and were up very quickly on scrum half Tim Hunt and fly half Joe Robinson. Bridlington scored two unanswered tries to get within 2 points of Malton. Malton were defending deep in their own half when Tom Brader broke through and ran in to score and convert his own try.

Bridlington came back again to score and get back to 19 – 17. Andy Roberts replaced John Kennedy and finding himself with the ball made good ground.

Then with some of their best handling Malton got the ball to Alistair Coe who fought his way to the line, 24 – 17.

Again Bridlington attacked, their most aggressive player broke through and only had one Malton player between him and the line. Cameron Barron committed himself to bring down the man with a match saving tackle.

The game finished 24 – 17.

Malton put up a gritty defence but need to tackle better in open play. They took their chances and deservedly go through to the next round.

On a bitterly cold morning Malton hosted Roundhegians, over whom they had had a narrow victory in the Yorkshire Cup earlier in the season. Seeking revenge Rounhegians started positively and attacked from the start. Tom Brader contested for a loose ball, broke free to run over half the pitch to open the score for Malton but was injured as he did so. Jo Robinson converted. John Kennedy again showed some aggressive running.

Nathan Pratt and George Harrison provided cover and Andy Roberts also put in an early tackle. Josh Wetherill came close to scoring. Malton's second try was one of the best of the season with the ball being kept alive with quick handling between several players including Robert, Robinson, Harrison and Pratt before Alistair Coe burst over the line. Robinson converted.

Roundhegians attacked again but at half time the score remained 14 - 0.

The second half saw Roudhegians fight back and poor tackling let them in for their first try. Wetheriill and Cole Goodchild combined to make good ground. Roundhegians ran back a poor kick and from a subsequent penalty scored an unconverted try to get within two points of Malton.

Newcomer Jamie Thompson showed promise with two aggressive runs. Roundhegians came close to scoring twice and a failed drop goal finished the game 14 - 12.

Another exciting game with Malton showing considerable skill but they must be more committed in loose play.

Beverley had only ten men so Malton leant them 5 of their large 24 man
squad. Malton's handling made light of the heavy conditions and after early
territorial advantage Malton won a scrum. Scrum-half Tim Hunt passed to
Charles Ramsay who slipped it to Tom Brader to score under the posts and
covert.

Nathan Pratt and Sam Annan combined to make good ground. Hooker,
James Pugh came close to scoring twice before the flood-gates opened. In
quick succession Brader scored again, followed by 2 tries from Josh
Wetherill and 2 by John Kennedy, all converted by Brader, to give a
half-time score of 42-0.

In the second half Malton gave Beverley 5 of their key players and this
time it was Malton's tackling that shone, especially by Pratt and Alistair
Wilkinson, who had a couple of good runs before opening the scoring in the
second half with his first try of the season.

Hunt and Pratt then supported each other in a quick handling and kicking chase to get close to the line before Wetherill touched it down for the second of the half. George Harrison twisted and turned to force his way over for another, all
converted by Brader. Beverley never gave up and scored a consolation try.
Beverley were then caught in possession behind their line and spilled the
ball for Brader to poach the last try for the match to end 66-5.