DRIFFIELD are fast becoming a bogey side for Malton & Norton, having completed a fourth success over the Ryedale outfit in two seasons.

Driff won 22-15 at The Gannock to leapfrog their North Yorkshire neighbours in the North One East table, Malt now sitting 10th and knowing anything other than victory over bottom-placed Consett on Saturday would not be enough,

It was at least an improved performance by M&N following their 29-3 defeat at Pocklington.

A spokesman said: "This was an entertaining afternoon's rugby after a torrid display at Pocklington last week and should be a fillip ahead of next week's visit to Consett."

On a fine sunny day, coupled with a good playing surface, the two sides entertained the capacity crowd at The Gannock.

The first 10 minutes had Malton pressuring the Driffield 22-metre zone but with no reward. The heavier Driff pack then got into their stride and swept to the other end.

Camped in Malton's 22, the visitors notched two quickfire tries on 22 and 25 minutes by the simple method of quick ball transfer through all their backs to create space for their runners in.

However, both tries came with Driffield down to 14 men following a 20th-minute sin-binning.

On 32 minutes, a fine long-range penalty from the ever-improving Paul Angus put Malton on the scoreboard.

Three minutes later, they rang the changes, withdrawing Shane Poole, moving Angus to fly-half and introducing Ali Fothergill to the backs, and they visibly upped their game with this tactical swap-around.

Malton had a great chance to cut the 10-3 deficit shortly before half-time.

Driffield had earned a second yellow card but Malt opted not to go for goal close to the posts but rather kick to touch and they suffered the indignity of being bundled over the sideline, forfeiting possession.

Malton opened the second half stuck in their own 22 and guilty of not clearing their line.

With a penalty on 45 minutes for a head lock tackle, Driffield opted for a scrum, picked up, drove to the line and scored a converted try to go 17-3 up.

Meanwhile, Callum Stark had been withdrawn for Malt, Matt Bowman moved to centre and Will Hughes brought on to bolster the pack.

Malton at last showed what their compact forward unit could do and good pressure and a keen eye saw Tom Foan take an interception and race to the line. He was halted with a foot to go, but Tom Lowry was the quickest in support and he swooped, collected the ball and touched down for a 47th-minute try.

Malton were back in the game and, three minutes later, bustling winger Rob Armitage scored wide out,

A fine conversion followed from Angus to narrow the gap to 17-15.

However, the yellow haze then descended on the home team with two cards in the space of five minutes, Chris Inman and Hughes being sent to the bin.

The inevitable followed with Driffield slicing through a stretched defence close to the posts.

The conversion attempt hit an upright, leaving Malton still within one converted try of snatching a draw.

They duly worked hard to close the gap in the final 10 minutes but it proved too much and Driffield went home with the spoils.