North One East: Guisborough 17 Malton & Norton 33

MALTON & Norton had not travelled to Guisborough for many a year, so the trip across the moors was very much a trip into unknown territory.

However, the game was a great advert for rugby union, with both sides producing some excellent stuff, and ably assisted by a referee who allowed the game to flow.

Malton attacked from the outset, and set up camp in the home half with some good ball retention and incisive running.

After five minutes, the first score was on the board, visiting full back Mbembe Payi swerving and side-stepping brilliantly, leaving a trail of defenders in his wake before going over between the posts and converting.

Guisborough then applied pressure of their own, earning a penalty, which they kicked kicked to touch, won the line-out and drove over for as try which they converted.

Ten minutes later, the hosts led 10-7 from a penalty after Malton were offside, and a see-saw battle then ensued.

On 36 minutes, Malton won a scrum on halfway, and quick handling and decisive running from forwards and backs gave winger Blake Spencer the chance he relishes, scorching over for Payi to convert.

But the visitors then pressed the self-destruct button via poor decision-making and weak tackling to concede a converted try, leaving Guisborough 17-14 ahead at the interval.

As in all games this season, Malton's pack were awesome in the tight and quickly made use of this superiority in the second half.

From a line-out close to the home line, Malton were awarded a scrum, and three collapsed scrums later, the visitors were awarded a penalty try, Payi's conversion making it 21-17.

Guisborough's midfield were still a threat, however, but Malton's defence was solid, and a poor home kick gave Payi a running opportunity, which he cashed in on before Sam Triffitt made further ground, handing on to the fleet-footed Spencer, who again showed the hosts a clean pair of heels to score in the corner.

Although Guisborough, who never gave up, still had their moments, Malton sealed the deal midway through the half when a weak home chip rebounded off a Malton player and was quickly sized by Triffitt, who fed fellow flanker Tom Lowry, who raced from the 22-metre line to score under the posts, Payi again converting.

Malton's pack was again outstanding, with Liam Vaughan and Ben Boothman to the fore, and Triffitt and Ali Coe never far behind.

The half-back partnership of Luke Radfuva and Paul Angus becomes more assured with each game, while Payi and Spencer bring pace and skill to a back line which is difficult to contain.

Malton take a rest on Saturday before meeting Bradford & Bingley at The Gannock the following week in what should be another entertaining battle.

Malton: X Payi; B Woodhouse, N Rngiuira, R Armitage, B Spencer; L Raduva, P Angus; L Vaughan, J Thornton, B Boothman, S Emms, J Rounthwaite, T Lowry, A Coe, S Triffitt. Replacements (all used): N Salisbury, J Lumley, H Coulson.