1st XV
Matches
Sat 26 Feb 2011  ·  Yorkshire Division One
Keighley RUFC
1st XV
Tries: S Walker (2)Penalties: A Brown
13
12
Malton and Norton
Keighley 13 - Malton & Norton 12

Keighley 13 - Malton & Norton 12

Kate Metcalfe27 Feb 2011 - 12:09
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An excellent game of rugby played in difficult conditions.

Unbeaten league leaders Malton & Norton signalled their intent from the off. Some powerful runs from No. 8 Dobson drove play deep into Keighley territory, quick ball game their backs the opportunity to pressure the defence. Although Keighley held firm they put themselves under early pressure through their inability to secure good line out possession.
Eventually the pressure told and some slick handling led to a well taken try for centre R Armitage.

It looked as if it was going to be a long afternoon for Keighley, however they improved their lineout through great work from Stuart Inman and Ian Buckley, which gave them the chance to attack. With Keighley centres Horsfall and Ferrazzano in fine form, Malton began to lose their way. Captain Leigh Sugden, ably assisted by his eager pack of forwards, forced play into the Malton half. The pressure was rewarded with a penalty for Alex Brown. From the restart Keighley were back on top, a fine break by winger Jimmy Anson was held up near the try line, the ball was quickly moved to the right and a simple two on one situation.
However ‘white line’ fever meant that the killer pass was not delivered and Malton were able to scramble the ball down field.

Keighley increased the pressure and began making greater use of their backs. Using Ferrazzano as a dummy runner, outside half Alex Brown was able to throw a long pass to winger Sam Walker who galloped over for a well taken try. Towards the end of the half Malton fought their way back into the game and finished strongly, only resolute defence kept them at bay.

In the second half Malton brought on big experienced centre Ryan Lonsdale to counter the threat of Marco Ferrazzano. The substitution made a big difference to their game and for ten minutes they camped in Keighley territory. Some clever interpassing between forwards and backs gave Lonsdale the chance to break free down the middle, knocking off tackles he gave a try scoring pass to wing J Saunders who scored under the posts, converted by centre T Piawi.

Once again Keighley raised their game; the forwards battered their way deep into the Malton twenty two metre area. Malton stood firm but were undone when classy full back Danny McGee joined an attack down the blind side. His quick pass gave winger Sam Walker the chance to squeeze in at the corner.

Although Malton threw everything they had to offer into the last five minutes of the game there was no escaping defeat at the hands of a very determined Keighley, who thoroughly deserved their league points. Next week’s game sees Keighley at home to Selby. Kick off is at the later time of 3pm.

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Report below is by Bill Laidler, Malton & Norton, from their website.

Malton were unbeaten in 17 consecutive league games and Keighley were unbeaten at home. Something had to give and it was Malton who came out second best in this battle in the mud at Keighley. Heavy overnight rain had turned the pitch into a quagmire which hampered the intentions of two sides whose preference is for open fast rugby. However, it was a cliffhanger from beginning to end.
Malton were first into their stride and quickly made progress from their own half with a determined run from the threequarters. They set up camp in the Keighley 22 metre area and a series of pick and drives were well defended by the home side as Malton looked to press home their advantage. Eventually the pressure told and when Malton were awarded a free kick No.8 forward John Dobson initially made ground before the ball was released to the backs and centre Rob ARMITAGE crossed for the first score of the game after five minutes. Keighley are renowned as a side who will not capitulate easily and quickly had Malton under severe pressure. Only resolute defence kept the hosts out but mistakes were being made by both sides in the tricky conditions as the two sets of forwards battled for supremacy. Mid-way through the half after another period of Keighley pressure the Malton backs were caught offside and the home side narrowed the gap with a penalty by Alex Brown. The game was still being played at a rapid tempo and play continued to sway from one end to the other with neither side gaining the upperhand. The next strike came from Keighley. Some accurate kicking kept Malton pinned back for long periods and after half an hour the defensive line was breached as Keighley took advantage of an overlap to score in the left corner (Sam Walker). In the closing minutes of the half Malton lost wing Henry NEWITT to injury to be replaced by Ryan LONSDALE. His impact was almost immediate as Malton regained the initiative. A series of strong drives just failed to bring a result and Keighley went into the break with an 8 – 5 lead.
Playing with the strong sun at their backs during the second period Malton should have used this as a tool to pin the hosts back. Instead a series of badly directed kicks backfired. However, Malton did take the lead 12 minutes into the half when clean line out ball was quickly whipped out to Lonsdale who burst through the home ranks before handing on to wing Josh SAUNDERS to cross close to the posts. Teei PIAWI converted to bring his seasonal tally to 201 points. As the visiting support looked for Malton to kick on from this point so Keighley refused to lie down. It was Malton who were doing the pressing for long periods but it was a solid Keighley defence which held them out. In previous games this season it is at this point that Maltons superior fitness has told against the opposition. However, Keighley showed that they are also a very fit side and could match anything Malton had to offer. After a period of pressure on the Malton line the visitors were reduced to 14 men when flanker George HARRISON was sin binned for a technical offence. The defence remained strong and the danger was cleared. Play was still sweeping from end to end despite being a forward dominated game with little sign of either defence being breached.
Going into the final five minutes Keighley maintained the pressure, aided by some wayward Malton clearance kicks, and set up a drive close to the left touchline which sucked in the Malton defence. A break on the blind side opened up the gap for a try in the corner by Sam Walker and Keighley had a one point lead with only in jury time remaining. Malton did rally from the restart but time eventually ran out and Keighley held onto their record as Maltons great run came to an end.
For Malton Dan CATTLE at scrum half was a thorn in the opposition side all afternoon and Paul DOBSON again showed all of his undoubted abilities as a ball carrier. Lonsdale gave more bite to the back division and Duncan FOSTER was his usual safe pair of hands at the line out.
Malton entertain North Ribblesdale on Saturday when a return to winning ways will be looked for.
Malton: I.Cooke, J.Saunders, R.Armitage, T.Piawi, H.Newitt(R.Lonsdale 35 mins), T.Gravell, D.Cattle, P.Dobson, N.Salisbury(T.Sanders 70mins), A.Turnbull, D.Foster, R.Webster, S.Triffitt, G.Harrison, J.Dobson

Match details

Match date

Sat 26 Feb 2011

Kickoff

14:15

Competition

Yorkshire Division One
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Rugby Development Sponsor  - Adaptive Control Solutions Ltd.
Silver Sponsor - Hebden and holding
Silver Sponsor - Calvert Construction
Stags Sponsor - Front Five Building Services
Sponsor - Sugden Amenity
Club Sponsor - Sugden Contractors