Malton and Norton RUFC's promotion hopes were left in tatters as Old Crossleyans overcame an early deficit to take the spoils 39-19 in the play-off for the last promotion place to North 2 East.

Malton began with a bang, applying all of the early pressure and producing some good rugby to keep Crocs firmly entrenched in their own half.

Ten minutes into the game, Malton missed a relatively simple penalty attempt but at the line-out which followed, stole the opposition ball for fly-half Chris Creber to make a clean break through the defensive line to cross between the posts. Ian Cooke added the extras.

At this stage, Malton were making all of the running with no hint of what was to follow later.

The Malton pack were covering every inch of the pitch providing a constant stream of ball for the backs to strut their stuff.

One drive upfield, with James Machin and Steve Pease to the fore, produced quick ball which was quickly redistributed to Creber, who saw that Tom Pateman was in space and spun out a long pass for the wing to gladly receive and race over for his side's second try.

Crossleyans were never going to give up without a fight and began to turn the screw by tightening up their game and keeping the ball close to the pack, who had the advantage in power over the Malton eight.

From a line-out 30 metres out, Crocs mauled the ball closer to the line before releasing it to the backs.

Assisted by some sloppy Malton defending, the deficit was reduced with a converted try. Malton right wing Liam Cowton cut a great line to break through the first line of defence, but was halted short of the line when a try seemed probable.

With half-time beckoning Crocs pushed Malton off their own ball at a scrum and rumbled over for a second try to take the lead.

The second half saw Crossleyans take almost full control of proceedings through the efforts of their pack and some sensible use of the ball by the half-backs.

Within five minutes of the restart, a series of drives from a turn-over of possession saw the lead stretched to nine points with another close range try.

Worse was to follow when a Malton attempt to run from defence floundered when the ball was knocked-on in their own 22 metre area. A massive push from Crossleyans at the scrum ensured that the Malton back row were fully occupied as a break through from inside centre produced the killer try.

Malton did stage a mini-revival and reduced the arrears when a period of pressure gave Creber the sniff of the whitewash.

Cooke converted and there was a slight glimmer of hope for Malt.

Crocs had other ideas and soon increased the lead with a penalty when Malt infringed at a ruck.

Crocs completed the misery for the hosts with a further try from a turn over at a scrum and from a penalty on full time to bring another nail biting season at The Gannock to a conclusion.

Updated: 09:53 Monday, May 01, 2006