Over 100 customers enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Malton and Norton RUFC when we sponsored the match against West Leeds. Lana, Christine and the girls provided a lovely lunch and the service was great. Unfortunately Malton & Norton were just pipped at the post - see the match report below. If you would like to join our Rugby Supporters club and join us at future events please email wendy.chapman@raychapmanmotors.co.uk

RUGBY UNION
MALTON & NORTON 10pts WEST LEEDS 13pts
A much better performance from Malton against a side who have been amongst the promotion contenders all season. Indeed, Malton were in front until ten minutes from time although West Leeds had dominated possession for long periods. Conditions were heavy underfoot and a cold breeze swept across the pitch. The sizeable crowd were kept fully entertained with a game which produced five yellow cards and one red. However, although a lot of the action was at close quarters, it was not a particularly rough game and both sides did produce some good running rugby when the opportunity arose.
Most of the play in the first half was played in the Malton half of the pitch with Malton defending well to keep the visitors at bay. When they did break Malton looked dangerous in attack. Not until the fortieth minute was the deadlock broken when Malton were awarded a penalty in front of the posts for a high tackle. Paul Angus converted and Malton held a slender 3 – 0 lead. From the restart and deep into added time Malton again attacked. A defence splitting break by No.8 Ali Coe took him deep into the visitors half. With the visitors’ defence desperately trying to recover the ball was quickly recycled to the backs and slick handling got it into the hands of centre Nick Rangiuira who took the ball at pace to cross close to the posts. Angus converted and Malton went into the break with a 10 – 0 lead.
The second half was almost a mirror image of the first. Maltons pack were probably on top in the set pieces but, sadly, were unable to secure their own ball at line out time. This has been a failing all season and requires urgent action if this source is to be exploited to its full. West Leeds narrowed the gap after 17 minutes when Malton were penalised for not rolling away following a tackle and the visitors gladly accepted the three points on offer. On the half hour they drew level. Taking a line out five metres out they set up a maul and were moving towards the Malton line when Malton were penalised for illegally pulling down the maul. A quick tap penalty caught Malton napping as a second row forward crossed for the try. The conversion brought the scores level. Fingernails were being bitten to the quick by supporters of both sides in the closing minutes with Malton mounting several attacks without success. West Leeds got into scoring territory with a line out close to the Malton line. At the maul Coe appeared to have legally stripped the ball carrier of the ball to break free only for the referee to think otherwise and award the visitors a penalty. The ball soared between the posts and West Leeds were in the lead for the first time.
In the dying minutes Malton valiantly tried to make amends but lost substitute prop forward Nick Salisbury who was shown a red card for foul play at a scrum. The final whistle sounded and the vociferous Leeds support were ecstatic.
This was a much better show from Malton who were almost back to full strength. Coe was named Man of the Match but Tom Foan, Zweli Sodladla and two or three others were not far behind.
Malton now travel to North Shields to take on fellow strugglers Percy Park and confidence must have taken a boost from this performance.
Malton:Z.Sodladla, V.Dyantjies, T.Foan, N.Rangiuira, R.Armitage, L.Raduva, P.Angus, A.Turnbull, L.Welch, R.Featherstone, J.Rounthwaite, A.Fothergill, T.Lowry, S.Triffitt, A.Coe. Subs: (all used) N.Salisbury, C.Corner, J.Bulmer

Report by Bill Laidler