WEST Leeds showed why they have enjoyed two successive promotions with a fiery display to see off Malton & Norton in the first meeting of the clubs for many years.

The basis of their 27-17 success was dominance in scrums, Malton struggling to come to terms with the hosts' strengths as their two-match winning run ended.

Malt spokesman Bill Laidler said: "We must sort out our scrummage problems but there were some good signs.

"Jamie Rounthwaite and Andy Mitchell caused lineout problems for the hosts and Will Hughes worked ceaselessly during his time on the pitch."

Malton started terribly as their kick-off went directly into touch.

From the scrum in centre-field, the hosts were awarded their first of 14 penalties in the first half - compared to Malt's one - and easily kicked the three points on the short pitch.

Malton replied immediately

Good ball retention by the pack following a lineout in their own half saw them make ground before releasing the backs.

Slick inter-passing and a defence-splitting dummy from wing Ben Tenge opened the defence and centre Rob Armitage crossed in the corner. Zweli Sodladla converted from the touchline - but the lead lasted only four minutes.

West Leeds tactic of kicking accurately to the wings was well known to Malton and much of their preparation in midweek had been to counter this threat.

However, in the 10th minute, one such kick from left to right, which should have been dealt with, was fumbled close to the touchline and seized upon by veteran former Leeds Rhinos rugby league star Mark Calderwood, who outstripped the defence to set up his side's first converted try.

Five minutes later, the dose was repeated on the other flank. This time an accurate kick was scrambled into touch by Malton and from the lineout West Leeds set up a maul to get their second try, plus another conversion.

Deep in first-half stoppage time, Calderwood turned up in the centre to make a strong break before putting his wing over in the corner, the extras again added for a 24-7 interval lead.

Malton needed to get back into the game quickly, and they did do.

Sodladla kicked a penalty to the corner, where a clean catch and drive led to number eight Ali Coe touching down.

West Leeds were still posing problems at scrums but Malton were not conceding possession easily. Midway through the half, though, they had scrum-half Paul Angus harshly sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on when trying to intercept a loose pass. The penalty extended the gap to 27-12.

Malton's pack showed their teeth in the loose and on the half-hour they should have narrowed the gap - twice crossing the line but being unable to ground the ball. On the third attempt, Leeds were awarded yet another penalty at the scrum to clear their lines.

Hopes of a comeback were high as Malton kept up the pressure in the loose.

However, the home defence held firm until deep into injury time when Malton were awarded a penalty 15 metres out.

Nick Rangiuira took the tap and go and set up the platform for the pack to mount one last attack for hooker John Vasconcelos to score, the kick being missed.