After the euphoria following the victory away at Wharfdale the Juniors were brought down to earth with a resounding bump by a very determined side from North Leeds. The tone of the game was set in the opening few minutes as errors by the home team gave Yarnbury good field position from which to score a penalty kick and then a try.

It took almost half the first period for Malton to get their hands on the ball and put pressure on the visitor’s line. Once again a quickly taken tap penalty paid dividends as Josh Pratt forced himself over for “Malts” opening score.

Things almost got better for the home side but unfortunately another opportunity to score was thwarted soon afterwards only a yard short of the line. With the Malton scrum struggling and the usually very efficient line out misfiring, Yarnbury soon began to regain control and once again extend their lead just seconds before half time.

With only eight points the difference as the second half began all was not lost for Malton but it was another mistake at a lineout that gifted the visitors the ball on halfway. Yarnbury made full use of the possession to score a good try, followed up with another try soon afterwards following some good handling around a five-metre scrum.

With a commanding 20 point lead Yarnbury then showed how to defend by maintaining possession for several minutes at a time. It was only when a clearance kick dropped infield on the halfway line that the deadlock was broken.

An exciting individual run by Ross Harrison saw him weave his way through the whole Yarnbury defence and score under the posts. Dan Cattle, who maintained his 100% kicking performance this season, confidently put the conversion away.

It was Malton who finished pressuring the visitors line but it was too little too late. Positives in the defeat, at times some good defence and promising attacking play by Malton although they were guilty of not capitalising on scoring when opportunities were created. It was however the simple mistakes that ultimately gifted Yarnbury points and with them the game.

After last weeks demolition of Old Rishworthians by 50 plus points the Under 17s resumed their league program with Wharfedale visiting the Gannock. The visit to Wharfedale in the opening league game of the season saw a very tight game with Malton squeezing ahead in the final quarter to record a narrow victory.

The game began with several errors by both sides keeping play in the middle third of the pitch. Pressure finally told with Wharfedale taking the lead with a penalty as the Malton backs strayed off side. The home side responded positively and drew level, as it was the visitors who were penalized at the ruck.

The first half continued a tight affair but it was Wharfedale that scored the first try with a quickly taken tap penalty. The Malton defence were slow to react and conceded a try under the posts, which was duly converted. To their credit Malton responded with an excellent try of there own following an attacking 5-metre scrum.

Solid work by the forwards gave the sound base which allowed scrum half Dan Cattle to finish off a well-worked move. Unfortunately the conversion went wide giving the visitors a 2-point lead at half time.

With everything to play for in the second half both sides played good attacking rugby without really threatening. The decisive moment came as the ball squirted unexpectedly from the side of a Wharfedale scrum. The visitors scrum half was first to react to retrieve the ball and sprint unopposed more than half the pitch to score under the posts. Malton however responded once again with a try of their own scored by Anthony Doe following some good handling by the backs.

With the 2 point difference restored the game was once again evenly balanced as the tension mounted. Ultimately however, it was Whafedale who finished strongest in both attack and defence with another penalty kick and try in the final moments. Victory for Wharedale, in what had been a most absorbing game, was probably down to slightly better defence and quick thinking when taking tap penalties.


Report by Holly Pratt

Malton supporters went to cheer on a Malton & Norton side that was now full of strength and vigour, as it had been depleted during previous league matches which had forced some poor results. Against Guisborough, the onlooking support were to be treated to an amazing display of rugby.

The game opened with a kick from Malton which was caught comfortably. The first try came when quick ball through the backs caused an opening for Andrew Thompson to score a blistering try sprinting three-quarters of the pitch. The game really opened up and Malton were running in the try's faster than lightning.

Guisborough managed to pull one back but it didn't make a difference to the games flow, as Malton were piling on the pressure permanently, especially through Guy Dolman who continually was up on the Guisborough number 10. This caused a lot of mistakes from the opposition, which meant that Malton could add to their .

The game was played with a great deal of aggression and character with strong performances being put in by Sam Turnbull for his amazing line-out skills, Sam Triffit for his dazzling turns of pace, and Josh Pratt for having an all-round good game.

Report by Liam Dale