MALTON & Norton RUFC bade farewell to South African duo Zweli Sodladla and Vus Dyantjies in style with a 31-12 triumph at Pontefract to keep their unbeaten Yorkshire One run going.

The Malton pack, although slightly outmuscled in the set pieces, were covering every inch of the ground to outnumber Pontefract leading to a try for prop forward Rob Featherstone.

Soon after Pontefract were level when a home wing scooped the ball up at full speed to score in the corner.

Sublime play restored Malton’s advantage. Ali Coe won the ball at the tail of a line-out on half way for fly-half Nick Daley to float a perfect pass to Sizwe Zondo who raced over from 50 metres out. Sodladla added the conversion to take his season tally to 200 points.

In the 33rd minute, Coe fed Sodladla who raced through the gap to touch down for a try he converted.

A penalty try for the hosts yielded a 19-12 interval lead to Malton.

The hosts started the second period in determined mood and only some excellent defence kept them out.

Midway through the half a good Malton move was halted by a deliberate knock on by a Pontefract player who was yellow carded.

Malton seized on the opportunity for Featherstone again to burrow over.

As the final minutes ticked, another set of pick and drives gave Sean Emms the opportunity to get the important touchdown for Sodladla to convert and end the game.

Once again the Malton back row of Triffitt, Coe and Lowry were outstanding but the other five members of the pack were very close behind.

They are not the heaviest but make up for that lack of bulk with their pace around the pitch and great skill levels at close quarters.

POCKLINGTON RUFC made it four wins out of their last five North-East One games since the turn of the year, when they came away with a 22-20 victory at Old Crossleyans.

Pocklington had the better of the first half but went into the interval at 10-10, the Pocklington scores coming from a try from centre Billy Hardy, who was put under the posts by flanker Jack Holborough’s great offload, and a conversion and penalty by Dan Elliot.

But it was an end to end encounter and Crossleyans were always dangerous on the break, moving into a 13-10 lead with a second-half penalty.

Pocklington then played some of their best running rugby of the season, with forwards and backs combining in a series of long range attacks and wing Tim Nixon invariably involved.

One sent Hardy away on the left to touchdown, Elliot converting.

Fly-half Elliot produced a show and go on halfway and scythed 40 yards up the middle before handing on to supporting flanker Richard Skowronek who plunged under the posts.

Elliot converted for 22-13 and Pocklington looked home and dry.

But they had to endure late anxiety as Crossleyans ran the ball from deep in their own half for a last-minute converted try - enough to give the home side a losing bonus but still leaving Pocklington with the win.

YORK RI RUFC suffered at the hands of a motivated Skipton side to lose 29-10 in Yorkshire Four.

Skipton’s powerful forwards paved the way for a converted try followed by a penalty to lead 10-0.

RI countered vigorously when speedy winger Andy Brentnall made a terrific break but as the try line beckoned, the final pass was spilled.

RI pressure told and Brentnall scored in the corner to trail 10-5 at the interval.

Within 12 minutes of the second half Skipton notcxhed two tries one of which was converted.

RI struck back with a Frazer Land try, but then the hosts raided on the counter to seal the flattering 29-10 victory.