MALTON & NORTON RUFC came through a hard and bruising encounter to claim a 16-13 derby victory at Bridlington in Yorkshire One.

They surged out of the blocks and, through the efforts of the pack, dominated possession and territory for the first ten minutes.

Eventually, the Bridlington resistance snapped and full-back Zweli Sodladla calmly slotted home a penalty.

From the restart, Malton fielded the ball cleanly and quickly got things in motion from their own 22 metre area.

Good handling between Sodladla, Vus Dyantjies and Ben Woodhouse bamboozled the home defence and took them to the home ten metre line where Woodhouse handed on to fly-half Nick Daley, who touched down under the posts. Sodladla converted.

Bridlington were having difficulty getting any worthwhile possession but, on a rare incursion into the Malton half of the pitch, they reduced the lead to 10-3 at the half with a penalty.

The visitors expected more in the second half but Bridlington had other ideas. In the opening minute, having initially lost possession at a lineout, they regained the ball and quickly got it out to their speedy backs.

The stout Malton defence was breached as the seaside club scored in the corner.

A successful conversion levelled the scores and, two minutes later, Bridlington were in front.

Malton were penalised for using their hands in a ruck and the penalty sailed between the posts to the delight of the home supporters.

The visitors now had to regroup.

The pack were all over the home eight in both set and loose and some of the collisions were bone crunching.

Outstanding for Malton in these exchanges were John Lumley, Ali Coe, Josh Heggie and James Thornton in the pack and Daley and Dyantjies behind them.

The Bridlington tackling was equally as explosive as Malton tried to find an opening.

But when Brid were caught offside after 15 minutes, Sodladla levelled the scores.

Either side could then have taken the spoils with both sides battling for supremacy in the centre field.

On the half hour, a good Lumley drive into the heart of the home defence - supported by his forward cohorts - produced another penalty and Sodladla duly obliged with a successful kick.

In the closing minute, Bridlington were awarded a penalty which was out of kicking range. A well-judged kick to the corner gave them a lineout from which to attack.

Malton disrupted the throw and held the surge before making ten yards to gain a lineout of their own.

Jamie Rounthwaite secured the ball for Malton but the maul was driven into touch and the referee blew the final whistle as Malton replaced Bridlington in second place in the table.