Magic Malton & Norton conjure a win over Northern (From York Press)

Magic Malton & Norton conjure a win over Northern

10:07am Monday 30th January 2012 in Rugby Union

BATTLING Malton & Norton RUFC overcame a sending off and an injury blow to trounce visitors Northern 31-5 in North One East.

The Ryedale side had prop Paul Dobson stretchered off with a back injury in the first half and then centre Ryan Lonsdale was red-carded for a high tackle in the second period.

However, the hosts still conjured five tries en route to their ninth win of the campaign.

Lonsdale had earlier laid on the first try, driving forward before Paul Dobson crashed over and Ian Cooke converted.

Within three minutes, Northern whipped the ball across the backs and some slipshod tackling allowed them in for a try.

Midway through the half, a break from defence by Lonsdale was carried on by Cooke and then wing Josh Saunders, who sent opposite wide man Tom Newitt racing in from 40 metres.

Late in the half, Duncan Foster stole a Northern lineout and the ball was shipped out for Saunders to score and Cooke’s conversion made it 19-5 at the interval.

Number eight John Dobson was sin-binned after the break and then Lonsdale dismissed, but Jared Williams made a 40-metre burst and handed over to Saunders for a try.

After being denied from a scrum, Malt then set up a maul and hooker Alex Whittaker added to his ever-growing try count, with Cooke converting from the touchline.