Malton and Norton's bid to complete a championship and Yorkshire Shield double ended in disappointment yesterday.

They were beaten 15-12 in the final of the Yorkshire Shield by Beverley at Hull Ionians' Brantingham Park ground.

Malton, the Yorkshire One champions, were favourites to beat Beverley, who had won the Yorkshire Two title.

But despite scoring the only two tries of the game Malton were punished by the boot of the East Yorkshire side's stand-off Anthony Posa, whose astute kicking during the match was crucial.

Malton took the lead when they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. With Beverley expecting a kick at goal scrum half Jon Newsome quickly took the kick and passed wide to the waiting James McKay, who strolled over in the corner .

Beverley replied quickly. Winning a scrum ball just inside the 22 metre area Posa dropped a goal.

After half an hour Malton conceded a penalty for holding on to the ball after a tackle. Beverley scrum half Ian Archibald made no mistake. Another penalty soon followed when a Malton player was adjudged to have obstructed his opposite number in a chase to the line and Beverley turned around with a four point lead.

Rob Tate was introduced early in the second period to add some flair, but chances were few and far between.

Two further penalties were conceded for offside and for handling in a ruck to give Beverley the ten point cushion they needed.

Malton scored with five minutes left, Jason Simpson bursting through and score beneath the posts. Ian Cooke added the extras.

Leeds-born David Doherty became the youngest player to play in the Zurich Premiership when he came on as a late replacement in Leeds Tykes' 31-15 home defeat at the hands of Northampton.

Yorkshire's County Championship match with Berkshire, scheduled to be played on Saturday, was postponed on the morning of the match because the visitors could not raise a side.

Updated: 11:06 Monday, May 03, 2004