MALTON & Norton travelled to Tyneside for the first game of the new campaign with a patched-up side and duly fell 41-12 to Northern.

M&N were missing a number of key players including skipper Sam Triffitt, who suffered a cycling accident during the week, and South African duo Zweli Sodladla and Vus Dyantjies, who have returned to the club for a third season but whose international clearances did not arrive in time for this game.

However, improvements are still needed quickly.

Spokesman Bill Laidler said: "Malton were definitely second best on the day against a side promoted last season and must hope that some of their areas of concern can be quickly addressed before they face West Hartlepool at The Gannock on Saturday."

In perfect conditions Northern were first to show their intent. After five minutes a poor clearing kick from Malton failed to find touch and was quickly run back by the hosts. Having set up a ruck, they spread the ball wide to take advantage of extra numbers and score in the corner.

Malton were still not out of the starting blocks when Northern struck again, poor tackling ushering the centre through from 22 metres out, the conversion successful.

A couple of positional alterations and changes in personnel made Malton immediately look more secure and they began to show some good touches.

With Northern again pressing, Malt managed to steal possession at a maul in their own 22 and swiftly broke away on the left flank.

Prop Nick Salisbury started the move and it was carried on by back-rowers Ali Coe and George Harrison who reached the home half before handing on to wing Tom Clark, who sprinted over to cut the half-time deficit to 12-5.

One of Malton's failings last season was a propensity to give risky passes inside their own 22, leading to possession being lost in crucial positions.

That reared its head again early in the second period when Northern took possession and set up a series of pick and drives to cross near to the posts.

Five minutes later, Malton showed a glimpse of what they could do. George Harrison took a quick tap penalty and, with Jim Thornton and Luke Raduva carrying on the good work, they made rapid progress for Harrison to round off the move with a try close to the posts. Paul Angus converted.

Malton then had possibly their best spell of the game but at the midway point of the half suffered a cruel blow when Harrison was shown a yellow card for a technical offence at a ruck.

Northern took full advantage and ran in three quick tries in his absence, although there was a strong suspicion of offside for the first and a massive forward pass for the second.