MALTON & Norton served up an eight-try bonanza to blow away a youthful Wheatley Hills 53-0 and return to winning ways in style.

The result at The Gannock sent Hills to the foot of the North One East table and lifted M&N back up to ninth, putting them in the black in the points-difference tally.

Full-back Xolela Payi led the way with 28 points from three tries - one a solo special - plus a penalty and five conversions.

Said spokesman Bill Laidler: "There was an icy wind blowing from the North and some wintry showers during the game, neither of which could put a dampener on some exhilarating rugby."

The scoring started after five minutes when Malton kicked a penalty to the corner. Cathching the lineout, they set up a number of drives to the line where second-row Sean Emms touched down.

Wheatley Hills were competing well in the forwards at this point but had no answer to the pace and handling of the Malton backs.

On the quarter-hour, the hosts extended the lead.

They won the ball from a lineout near halfway, and swift handling through the backs got it quickly to the other side of the pitch to left-wing Blake Spencer.

He made great yardage before sending Payi scorching home.

Midway through the half, a high tackle in centrefield gave Payi the opportunity to show his kicking skills with a well-struck penalty to extend the lead.

Then came a remarkable piece of individualism. A poor Wheatley Hills kick was taken in his own 22-metre area by Payi.

Rather than clear his lines, he set off on a defence-splitting run, weaving and side-stepping past a host of would-be tacklers before racing to the posts to score and convert.

Malton were in rampant mood heading towards the interval and, when Payi spotted no-one at home in the visitors' defence, he kicked into space and, along with Spencer, chased hard to hack the ball in-goal for Spencer to get the touchdown, Payi goaling from out wide.

Deep into first-half stoppage-time, Malton got their bonus point try.

Spurning a shot at goal, they took a tap penalty and set up a controlled drive. A series of pick-and-go rucks ended in a try for prop Ben Boothman, Payi again converting well for a 34-0 lead.

Malton rang the changes during the second half, resting those carrying knocks and giving teenager John Vasconcelos his first taste of senior rugby in the front row.

His reward was a try after 10 minutes when he rounded off another piece of good forward possession and driving play.

Payi converted from the touchline again, off post and crossbar.

The visitors were now deflated and Malton were eager to reach the 50-point mark.

Again they attacked from deep. Good handling across the back line got speedsters Payi and Spencer into space, and Payi streaked away to complete his hat-trick.

Wheatley's woes increased as the clock ticked down. An attempted chip over the Malton back line in the visitors' 22 weakly handed possession to home centre Rob Armitage - who had the simple task of strolling over for his side's final try, Payi converting.