Malton and Norton's rollercoaster season in North 2 East took another dip at Hartlepool with a 32-20 defeat in which poor tackling and handling were to blame for most of the points conceded.

Malton looked the more likely to prosper early on but a stray pass in the Hartlepool 22 was seized on by the hosts and play transferred to the other end assisted by some woeful tackling. The result was a try for the hosts after three minutes.

Malton then failed to capitalise on two simple penalties but they were assisted when a Rovers forward was sin-binned for deliberately killing the ball at a ruck and from that penalty Andy Newsome reduced the arrears, and within minutes put his side ahead with an effort for offside.

Although Malton held much territorial advantage, Rovers always looked dangerous on the break and wasted no time in spinning the ball wide to their speedy backs.

Another Malton move was spoiled by bad handling and again play switched to the other end, where a rolling maul brought Rovers their second try, while their third came when a break from defence went unchecked.

Malton at last strung together a series of rucks to stretch the home defence and give centre George Mosey the chance to race beneath the posts for Newsome to convert and bring Malton within two points. But again Rovers took advantage of slack tackling and quickly scored two further tries before the interval, despite having another player yellow carded for preventing release of the ball.

The deficit would have been worse but no tries were converted and, 12 points behind, Malton were not out of it if they could improve.

The second half was a stalemate for the first 20 minutes, with Rovers using their big pack to gain yardage while Malton pegged them back with some astute kicking from half-back. But the next score came from Rovers when sustained forward pressure took its toll and another try resulted from a maul. A conversion at last followed.

Malton introduced Paul Dobson to the front row and his contribution was almost immediate. A series of rucks and drives took Malt close and Dobson took responsibility for the final drive, after which the ball was released for teenage flanker James Hogg, Malton's man of the match on his debut, to crash over.

Liam Vaughan and Jason Simpson also impressed but this was not one of Malton's better days.

The rise through the leagues has been spectacular but the going is now hard with no easy games. However, the mid-season break will give weary bodies the chance to recharge the batteries.

Updated: 10:46 Monday, December 20, 2004