Malton and Norton Rugby Union Club reached the last 16 of the Powergen Vase -- and took a step closer in the quest for their second Twickenham final in three years -- with an eleven-try 69-7 victory at The Gannock against a badly disciplined and hostile Halton team from North Lancs/Cheshire League 4.

The visitors' expended most of their energies in the opening five minutes as Malton took time to settle. Once they did, however, there was no holding Malton as they ran Halton ragged.

The first try came after seven minutes when Tim Chapman rounded off a good move to carve through and score wide out. Ian Cooke converted.

Cooke got the second try, joining the threequarter line from fullback to create the extra man and cross the line.

At this point the visitors began to lose self-control, creating unnecessary and ugly off-the-ball incidents.

Malton's discipline was exemplary and their reply was to play some excellent rugby.

Second row forward Duncan Foster was next to cross the line, followed by another Chapman try, both of which were converted by Cooke.

On the stroke of half-time Malton nailed the lid on Halton's coffin when right wing David Webster crossed the line to give his side a 33 points lead.

After the break Malton continued to play with purpose and style and, despite taking a battering in the process, centre threequarter Will Barber cracked open the defence to cross under the posts to increase the lead.

A brief flurry from the visitors saw the ball transferred to the right wing for scrum half Duncan Watt to cross for his side's only try, which was converted by fullback Steve Mellor.

Back came Malton, and James McKay, always a handful, inflicted more misery on the now totally indisciplined visitors with his first of two tries.

Referee Liam Munro, who had an excellent game, lost patience with some of the head-high tackling and general attitude of the Halton side and brandished yellow cards to four of their players in quick succession, reducing them to 13 men on two occasions.

Chris Creber's troops took full advantage of their numerical advantage and further scores came from Ian Mansell, Jon Newsome, McKay and Creber himself . Cooke added four second half conversions to round off the scoring.

The fitness of the Malton squad is such that very few sides at this level can stay with the pace set by Creber and those around him.

This, coupled to the individual skills within the side, ensures that the large Gannock following are treated to some exciting and expansive rugby, with each member of the team playing for each other.

Updated: 10:43 Monday, December 23, 2002