Malton and Norton just failed to overcome their higher-ranked Teesside opponents Middlesbrough as they lost 8-0 in an excellent Powergen Intermediate Cup tie.

The result was in doubt up to the final minute as both sides battled for supremacy.

Malton were under the cosh in the first ten minutes as Middlesbrough tried to gain a foothold.

Stout defence, a feature of Malton's play this season, kept the marauders at bay until a penalty for offside at a ruck was conceded and fly-half Simon Moore put Middlesbrough into the lead.

This setback spurred Malton and they began to play some exciting and adventurous rugby to gain the upper hand for large periods.

The forwards, with debutant prop John Richards (landlord of the Cayley Arms, Allerston) to the fore, set their mark on the game and started to take control.

The backs, with skipper Chris Creber at the helm and full-back Ben Hough in superb form, posed problems for the visitors.

One excellent move deserved a better return when Creber carved an opening before passing on to centre Tim Carney, who just failed to hold on to the ball as he raced into open space with the line beckoning.

For much of the half Malton were the better side but could not find a way through a good defence.

The second half was a carbon copy of the first, with neither side laying claim to territorial advantage but with Malton showing the better skills and ideas although still unable to break through.

Sensible refereeing by York referee Russ Warin ensured that, although the pressure was rising, both sides maintained their composure.

When Middlesbrough did attack the stout defence of Ryan Lonsdale and Carney in the centre and Ian Cooke on the wing proved watertight.

But there was little they could do to stop what proved to be the deciding score. From a set scrum 40 metres out, Middlesbrough scrum-half Peter Wright broke and cleverly beat the Malton defence before handing to fellow halfback Simon Moore, who crossed for a try.

Updated: 11:12 Monday, October 17, 2005