Malton and Norton moved into second place in Durham/Northumberland 1 with a flattering 25-6 victory at bottom side West Hartlepool TDSOB.

Other results went in Malton's favour, with fellow front runners, Horden, losing at home to Gateshead.

With Malton due to play the league's main contenders in the next few weeks they will have to raise their level of performance if they are to maintain the promotion push.

If chances had been converted into points Malton could well have put the result of this game out of any doubt within the first 15 minutes.

Malton eventually got their noses in from with a Ben Hough penalty after centre Tim Carney was stopped just short.

But when Malton were caught offside, home full-back Cole levelled the scores and indiscipline in the visiting ranks led to another another simple chance for Cole, giving Pool a 6-3 leadat the interval.

Two very kickable penalty chances went begging before Malton finally sprang into life. After a period of persistent pressure Chris Creber eventually outwitted the defence to cross and Andy Newsome converted.

Newsome then converted a penalty chance and Malton finally produced some good rugby. Ian Cooke made a characteristic mazy run before handing on to flanker Tom Anderson, who made ground before passing on to Creber who put in Carney to score close to the posts.

With ten minutes remaining Malton broke from midfield and the ball passed through several pairs of hands before fleet-footed wingman Tom Pateman finished the move and Newsome converted.

Despite the score it was not a good day at the office for Malton. For much of this game there was a sense of lethargy throughout the side. The quality of opposition may not be quite up to the standard of the Yorkshire leagues but if Malton are to regain their status in North 2, they will have to play to their maximum every week.

Updated: 09:42 Monday, November 14, 2005