Malton and Norton 5 Brods 8

Brods backed up last week’s home victory over Moortown with another hard earned win in dreadful conditions at Malton and Norton. Brods dominated most of the game to earn the victory however as can be seen from the score line opportunities to put points on the board were limited and defences held firm whilst ball handling was difficult.

The game kicked off with snow falling on a saturated pitch with the home side taking the early initiative in Brods territory however the visitors soaked up the early pressure before driving strongly back into the Malton half from a lineout. Malton maintained the pressure in the early exchanges however defence was resolute with Callum Bacon featuring and some good tackling kept the home side at bay and when they did eventually cross the line the ball was held up. The pressure in Brods 22 continued and it eventually told with some strong running from centre field, tackles were broken as Malton crossed the line to register the opening try and a kickable conversion was missed. 5-0 Brods responded with Danny Chappell distributing and kicking well to put the Hipperholme boys in good position deep inside Malton territory. From a lineout on the Malton 22 Brods took the ball cleanly and drove at pace towards the Malton line. The Brods forward pack scattered the defenders and Rob Jennings finished with a final push to cross the line. Another kickable conversion was missed and the scores were level 5-5. The Hipperholme boys now started to dominate the forward exchanges both at lineout and in the scrum and the pressure in Malton territory was rewarded with a penalty which Town converted to give the visitors a 5-8 lead. The Woodhead boys were now rising to their task Keeping the ball tight in close exchanges and monopolising possession whilst being enthusiastic in defence often forcing the home side into errors .

The second half continued in similar fashion with Brods being the dominant side. Forwards and backs worked hard in difficult conditions to retain control of the game not allowing their hosts time on the ball. Offensively Town and Bacon combined well to threaten however the greasy ball was so difficult to control handling errors were inevitable. Brods strangle hold on the game was played out close to the Malton line and as the clock was ticking down the sun came out as Malton pounced on a loose ball to hack downfield. Brods defence scrambled back to save what could have been a match winning score. From the resulting scrum the Hipperholme boys resolutely defended their line to turn the ball over and clear it beyond their 22. Brods domination at scrum and line earned them pressure relieving penalties and the game concluded once more with them deep inside the Malton half and in possession of the ball.

An entertaining game despite the appalling conditions and a very satisfactory result from a well-disciplined team performance .