MALTON & NORTON 10, BRADFORD & BINGLEY 22

IN one of only two games played in the league, because of waterlogged grounds, the top two battled it out at The Gannock in less than ideal conditions.

Although the pitch was playable at kick-off time, the incessant rain meant that it resembled a paddy field as the encounter progressed, and both sides deserve credit for producing some good rugby.

The large crowd – bolstered by the arrival of Bridlington RFC whose game at Halifax had been called off – deserve mention for braving the elements when the temptation to stay at home must have been pressing.

From the start, Malton went on the attack and in the first minute they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts when B&B were penalised for holding onto the ball after a tackle. Zweli Sodladla duly converted and Malton held the lead.

Malton spent most of the next 20 minutes camped in the B&B half. The pack appeared to have the ascendency in the set scrummage and could well have prospered from that department with a little more control.

B&B were forced to concede a number of penalties near their own line and wide out on the left. On each occasion Malton elected for the scrum and on each occasion drove the visitors back.

However, instead of holding the ball in they opted to pick up and drive. Had they kept it in the pack the referee, in all probability, would have awarded a penalty try as B&B collapsed the scrummage on each occasion.

When B&B did break out of their own half they made it count – from their first real incursion into the Malton 22-metre area, after 25 minutes.

Winning clean ball at a line-out on the right, they spread the ball wide to their speedy backs and a try in the corner resulted. An excellent conversion from the touchline put B&B ahead.

Five minutes later and Malton slipped further behind when they were penalised for being on the wrong side of a ruck.

B&B fly half Gerhard Nortier, whose kicking was impressive throughout, added the three points to give his side a 10-3 interval lead.

Unusually in rugby union, both sides left the pitch at half-time and Malton returned in fresh kit and renewed vigour.

Again they dominated the opening proceedings, and after eight minutes they levelled the scores.

Another good line-out catch by Ali Coe was turned into a strong rolling maul. Controlling the ball well, progress was swift towards the visitors line and No.8 Josh Heggie was credited with the touch down wide out. Sodladla, with another excellent kick, converted to level the scores once more.

Ten minutes later and the visitors again took the lead. The boot of Nortier put them into a strong attacking position and, from the line-out, they replicated Malton's previous effort. Again the conversion was successful.

Although Malton were still holding a territorial advantage for much of the time, the experience of the visitors was telling and when they got into scoring territory they made it count.

The final and deciding score came on the half hour, and Bradford & Bingley duly took the points.

All 36 players who took to the pitch and the referee deserve the accolades for putting on an entertaining spectacle despite the conditions.

The difference between the two sides was that B&B made every chance count whereas M&N had opportunities but need to be more clinical.

Malton travel to York on Saturday, looking to avenge the defeat they suffered earlier in the season.

Malton: Z. Sodladla, I. Cooke, V. Dyantjies, R. Bowdich, B. Woodhouse, N. Daley, P. Angus, R. Featherstone, J. Thornton, B. Boothman, S. Emms, J. Lumley, A. Coe, S. Triffitt, J. Heggie. Subs: (all used) E. William, G. Harrison, C. Stark

l Elsewhere, the wet weather took its toll on the weekend's local rugby union fixtures, with Nestle Rowntree and York RUFC among the sides to see their matches postponed.