Below-par Malton & Norton take points in poor Darlington clash (From York Press)

Below-par Malton & Norton take points in poor Darlington clash

10:03am Monday 22nd October 2012 in Sport

Malton & Norton RUFC got the right result as they beat North One East basement side Darlington 37-19, but club chiefs were disappointed with the performance.

The Ryedale side demolished struggling Durham City 55-0 the previous week and were expected to repeat the dose against Darlington.

However, the result was in the balance right up until the last 15 minutes of Saturday’s game.

Malt started well, with fly-half Chuck Ramsay making a defence-splitting break to score the opening try with two minutes on the clock. Ali Heard goaled.

The home side levelled the scores on 15 minutes and, despite a penalty from Heard, they got another try to lead 12-10 at the break.

Malton opened the second half in style, Ian Cooke setting up centre Ryan Lonsdale for a try, which Heard converted.

A sloppy 20 minutes allowed Darlington to grab another try, but Malt hit back with a score by winger Rob Dempsey. Ramsay then got over for his second try of the game before Lonsdale smashed through the defence and sent Cooke to the line with a suspiciously forward pass. Heard converted and then kicked a penalty to end the match.

Malton’s next task is at home to Northern, who trounced visiting Pocklington 30-0 on Saturday.

Pocklington missed an early penalty chance and a well organised Northern side led 13-0 at the interval through a converted catch and drive try and two penalties.

Pock improved in the second period, with number eight Karl Durkin leading the way.

However, Northern increased their lead with three further tries.