Australian fly-half Chris Creber talks about his return to Malton & Norton RUFC

THE name ‘Chris Creber’ is writ large across the recent history of Malton & Norton RUFC.

The Australian fly-half inspired the Ryedale side to Twickenham glory in 2001 and subsequently captained them to three successive promotions.

After a two-and-a-half year exile in his native land, Creber is now back at The Gannock to tackle potentially his greatest challenge yet.

Yorkshire One survival is the goal for the 36-year-old, who returned to England a fortnight ago to find his beloved club in dire straits with a solitary win in eight matches.

The scale of his task was outlined on Saturday when the play-maker announced his comeback with two tries, but was unable to prevent a 20-17 home defeat by Yarnbury.

Having worked so hard to establish Malt at Yorkshire One level, Creber is relishing the task of fighting to keep them there.

“It would be a huge blow to go down,” he said. “It took us a long time to build up to Yorkshire One and that is the minimum standard we should be playing at.

“I know what the club are capable of and we are punching below our weight. We need to be at this level for the juniors coming through. We have an obligation to honour, for them to be able to play in Yorkshire One or higher.”

Creber’s family – English wife Michelle and two young children – were unable to settle in his hometown of Bowral, the birthplace of Aussie cricket great Don Bradman in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales.

After yearning for a North Yorkshire homecoming, they are now temporarily being fed and watered at the successful Settrington racing yard of Michelle’s step-father, the trainer John Quinn.

Creber, who is seeking a teaching role in Ryedale, said: “I am very happy to be back.

“I have always enjoyed it here and dearly missed the rugby club and the solid relationships I made.

“There is a great atmosphere at Malton and the club has got some proper supporters.

“In Australia, my Bowral Blacks team got to the semi-finals of their competition for the first time in 20 years and there was hardly anyone in the bar afterwards.

“Here they support you, no matter what is happening on the pitch – although they might have a bit of a grumble at times.”

It was the homely atmosphere that tempted Creber to stay in Ryedale for almost ten years… after he originally came over on a short working holiday in 1998.

The Sydney University graduate took on a full-time PE teaching role at Terrington Hall School, while he also rapidly became a favourite at The Gannock.

He took over the Malton captaincy from fellow Australian Phil Ryan in 2000 and within a year he lifted the Tetley’s Bitter Vase at Twickenham after a 36-20 triumph over Hoylake.

Forming a winning partnership with coach Richard John, Creber also led the club to three successive promotions, between 2002 and 2004.

Malton were only denied a fourth elevation, to North 2 East, after an agonising play-off defeat by Old Crossleyans in 2006.

“Twickenham is one of my best memories of playing club rugby,” said Creber.

“We are not the highest ranking club in the world, but as far as camaraderie and support goes, there is something really special about the place.

“It’s a great club and there is a real sense of community down there.”

The club’s current on-field struggles are a world away from their 2001 day in the spotlight at Twickenham, but Creber is confident of salvaging something from the campaign.

“We are struggling a bit, but the performance against Yarnbury on Saturday was hard to fault,” said Creber, who has also taken on the mantle of backs coach.

“I don’t think we are lacking in performance, maybe more in belief. Losing, like winning, becomes a habit.

“We need to be more consistent for longer periods. I’ve not been back long, but all the signs I have seen are good.”

Given the roll-call of success on his Malton CV, don’t bet against a Creber-inspired reversal of rugby union fortunes in Ryedale.