Yorkshire Division One: North Ribblesdale 19 Malton & Norton 38

MALTON'S forwards proved too powerful for a plucky North Ribblesdale eight.

The visitors' three-quarters also showed their paces, with solid performances from half-backs Paul Angus and James Bulmer, while Sam Harrison is improving as his fitness levels rise.

Malton were ahead after only two minutes, prop Ben Boothman touching down from a superbly-organised maul.

Although seriously outgunned in the set-piece, under-strength Ribb took advantage of Malton flanker Ali Coe being sin-binned to create an overlap on the quarter-hour to score in the corner and add a fine conversion for 7-5.

However, the advantage was short-lived, Malton hooker James Thornton directing a maul from a line-out 20 metres out before breaking blind to score in the corner.

The visitors then had the put-in at a scrummage and, although Ribb were penalised four times for collapsing the set-piece, no penalty try was forthcoming, the 'consolation' prize being a try for Harrison.

Zwedi Sodladla converted to make it 17-7 at half-time but that advantage was soon extended, more collapsed scrums near the Robb line still not bringing a penalty try, No 8 Josh Heggie going over from the base of a scrum for full back Sodladla to again convert.

Coe was over next after more sustained pressure, Sodladla again adding the extras, only for Ribb to mount a comeback, as they had earlier in the season at The Gannock.

Ironically, after what had twice happened before, the referee awarded Ribb a penalty try for an unfair tackle on the home winger, who was bundled into touch deep in Malton's 22.

The conversion made it 31-14 and, with ten minutes remaining, the hosts struck again when their winger carried on playing to score a try when Malton's defenders stopped, thinking a kick ahead had gone into touch.

However, any fears of a dramatic finish were banished when visiting skipper Sam Triffit took the ball from a line-out and ran over unopposed for their sixth try, Sodladla converting.

Malton are at bottom club West Park Leeds on Saturday, when kick-offs revert to 3pm.

Malton: Z Sodladla; I Cooke, V Dyantjies, S Harrison, H Coulson; J Bulmer, P Angus; E Gwilliam, J Thornton, B Boothman, J Rounthwaite, J Lumley, A Coe, S Triffitt, J Heggie. Replacements (all used): R Featherstone, S Emms, J Cranage.