Malton stayed joint top of their division with a battling win in the face of adversity against Otliensians.

Malton's plans were upset before the kick off when flanker David Cooke injured a hamstring during the warm-up session, so Mick Corner came off the subs' bench to start the game.

The home side set up camp in the Otliensians 22 metre area and monopolised possession.

Otliensians conceded penalties, giving Andy Newsome the chance to capitalise with a good display of place kicking.

Although the play was forward dominated for much of the first half, Malton's tactics were justified in the heavy conditions as the pack, with Carl Rushworth and Corner leading the drives and Tim Casey and Dave Knaggs dominating the line outs, took control.

Midway through the half, with Malton leading 9-3, hooker Steve Hayhurst suffered a hamstring injury and had to leave the field. The restructured front row meant that Malton lost control of that department, but Malton were fine elsewhere.

A fourth Newsome penalty gave Malton nine point lead at half-time.

Otliensians rallied in the third quarter and dominated the set pieces. Malton conceded a penalty and a lapse in defence gave Otliensians fly-half Ian Chaplin the opportunity to score the only try of the game to bring his side within a point of Malton.

Casey suffered an ankle injury and had to go off, further disrupting Malton, but with half backs Chris Creber and Newsome kicking astutely, the home side kept the visitors at bay .

Newsomes kicked two further penalties, awarded when the Otliensians pack were deemed to have deliberately collapsed a scrummage and for an off side offence.