The Big Interview with Malton & Norton RUFC's Richard Webster

Seven wins from seven outings represents one of the Ryedale club’s finest-ever starts to a league campaign.

Having flirted with relegation in recent seasons, things are now definitely looking up at The Gannock.

Long-serving second-rower Richard Webster has seen everything in his decade with Malt. Promotion. Relegation. Twickenham glory.

The Pickering-born forward also tasted life at North Two East level in 2004/5 – and he wants more.

“Winning the league and getting promotion is our main priority this year,” said the 31-year-old.

“We want to do well in the cup as well, but the league is the main thing.”

He added: “We had one season up there, but it was a season of two halves.

“We won most of our games in the first half, then we lost a few key players in key positions and struggled in the second half.

“We got relegated... narrowly. It is a step up and the teams are a bit more competitive.

“You are up against bigger teams with bigger resources. That is the key. If you have a big squad, you can maybe make the step up.

“It is a case of strength in depth.”

Fortunately, in Webster’s eyes, strength in depth is the main factor behind Malton’s spectacular change in fortunes over the last ten months.

Prior to the Christmas break last season, the club were looking doomed to relegation from Yorkshire One.

However, a stunning run of nine wins from 11 matches under the new coaching team of Pat Stevenson and Chris Creber started the upward curve.

That has continued this term, culminating in last Saturday’s attritional 17-15 victory over in-form Sheffield.

Said Webster: “Normally we say it is about the performance rather than the result, but Saturday was different.

“It wasn’t the best game but, against Sheffield, we just wanted to take the points.

“We were level on points with them and had the same bonus points going into the game, so it was good to get the win.”

Malt are gaining a reputation for finding a way of grinding out a win in close games. That was far from the case in the early stages of last season.

“We lost a lot of games by a few points last year,” said Webster. “Now we are winning close games. That is something we have turned around.”

Webster, who came through the junior and colts ranks at The Gannock, is in his tenth season of first team rugby.

“This team will be up there with the best we’ve had,” he said. “Strength in depth is the key.

“Every season that we’ve been successful at Malton, we’ve had a core of players capable at this sort of level, but we’ve struggled with injuries.

“This year is different. The seconds are doing well and we have players who can step up and have a positive impact on the team.”

Long-serving Australian play-maker Creber provides an experienced head at fly-half, while Teei Piawi and Tony Maka have added some South Sea Island flair.

But there is significant home-grown talent in the ranks, such as speedsters Henry and Tom Newitt, and teenage flankers George Harrison and George Nutt.

Webster said: “We had a very good under-19s team last year and a few of those players have slotted right into the first team.

“There are a couple of foreign lads, but the majority of the team has come through the junior ranks.

“We’ve got a good, strong young squad and it’s looking good all round. We’ve got to maintain it now.”

Although victory over Sheffield gave Malton daylight at the top of the table, Webster is well aware the leaders have a long way to go as a team.

He said: “In this league everyone is beating everyone else, while we are putting a few results together.

“We are looking a pretty good team at the moment, but it is a matter of maintaining our concentration.

“If we play to our potential, I don’t think there is any team that can match us.

“But we tend to drop off every now and then. We seem to lose a bit of shape and have a crazy 20 minutes, and then get it back again.

“We’ve not put a full 80-minute performance in yet. It could be good when we do.”

Let the rest of Yorkshire One be warned.