Rugby Union round-up

Constant rain and waterlogged pitches did their best to wipe out the rugby union programme in the York area at the weekend.

Malton & Norton were delighted with their 11-3 win over senior ranked Beverley at The Gannock.

The first of two penalty goals by David Webster gave Malton a 3-0 lead at the interval, Ian Archibald kicking a penalty. Then winger Neil Gilbertson intercepted a short throw-in and raced forty yards for a try at the corner.

Scarborough's Independent Agriculture Yorkshire Shield tie at Moortown was one of the many casualties of the bad weather.

Clubs without a game included Harrogate (who did not fill a gap on their fixture list), Nestl Rowntree, Pocklington, Selby, York and York RI.

Pocklington's first team game at Hullensians was called off because the Hull Club's ground was waterlogged.

But Pocklington's well drained Percy Road grounds did see a game get under way, when a mixed Pocklington 2nds and 3rds entertained Hullensians 2nds.

The pitch was under an inch of snow at 9am, was under water at 11am, but the game kicked off in sunshine at 2pm.

Pocklington scored three tries to their opponents two, the Pocklington touchdowns coming from John Paul Kelly, Adam Lakin and Richard Williman. But they were unable to kick any goals and Hullensians hit the target with the boot four times to win 20-15.

Ripon managed to wade through their non-league game against a strong Hull side at Mallorie Park.

Hull demonstrated their league superiority by leaving Ripon trailing 17-5 at half time before they ended up 22-10 victors with tries by full back Warren Chamberlain, centre John Oxley and hooker Paul Arnett, Dave Prescott kicking the goals.

Ripon replied with tries by back five forwards Andy Foster and Jeff Platt.

With no match scheduled for York's 1st XV all the 1st XV squad were rested on Saturday to enable all injuries and niggling aches and pains to be given a break before the "crunch" match at Morpeth next Saturday.

York 'A' team lost 13-6 to Halifax side Old Brodelians in a close game at Clifton Park.

Scoring chances were at a premium and the rain and greasy ball, coupled with clinging underfoot conditions made life very difficult for both sides.

Both sides struggled through the entire 80 minutes to break the elements stranglehold on the proceedings.

The boot of Jamie Burdass put York's noses in front with a fine penalty but Brods hit back and countered with a break away try.

Burdass put York in front again with his second penalty only to see the visitors go back in front with a penalty minutes later.

An awesome tackle by York's Thompson stopped a Brods attack but the York player left the field and went to York District Hospital for X-rays on an injured hand.

York missed two scoring chances in the remainder of this enthralling but evenly balanced fixture and the only score in the second period was another break away try when Brods kept their footing better than their hosts.

Adi Martin, at prop, had his best game in York colours since his return to the fold. This ex Yorkshire Colt gets better as he gets closer to match fitness.

Veteran hooker and club member Ken Brockless was playing on another pitch and failed to see his young son having a cracking game at scrum half.

Newcomer Karl Sperke, playing at No 8, showed good hands and back row skills.

York were camped in the visitors 22m area for much of the last quarter, but, like their Seniors in the 1st XV, points were difficult to come by.

York Cavaliers beat visitors Acklam 12-5 in a clash of two very competent veterans sides. It was only the fourth defeat of the season for the Acklam side.

Despite losing one of their second row players, for illegal use of his studs, Acklam pushed the Cavaliers all the way.

The difference was York's No 8 Mark Belt who, in between his rest periods, was quite simply magnificent.

Dave O'Byrne and John Matthews also gave Acklam more than they could handle and only the rain and very muddy pitch flattered the Acklam defeat.

Belt scored his usual try and Don Walker also raced in. Raffoty converting Belt's effort to give the Cavaliers a well deserved victory.

A feature of the game was the excellent control exercised by the referee Peter Jones, who kept the increasingly physical play of Acklam within strict limits as their frustrations began to show.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.