A penalty in the dying seconds of the game saw Malton and Norton RUFC pipped 23-21 at home to North 2 East leaders Westow.

Both sets of players put on a display of rugby which made a mockery of the terrible conditions.

Against all advice, Westoe decided to brave the gales and travel from Tyneside to Malton and were almost made to regret the decision by a much more determined and fired up Malton outfit.

Malton led for 83 minutes of this 84 minute game and victory would have been fully justified.

From the outset Malton tore into the league leaders and kept possession for almost five minutes before they were awarded a penalty for handling at a ruck.

Ian Cooke, restored to the side after an enforced lay off because of concussion, slotted home the kick.

Westoe, inspired by former Newcastle Falcons skipper Richard Arnold, levelled the scores with a penalty from full back Craig Stephenson when Malton were caught offside at a ruck.

The penalty count mounted in Malton's favour. Andy Newsome took advantage of one such award and quickly took the kick to hand on to Chris Creber, who made a good break before passing to the excellent Phil Ryan, who burst through for a well deserved score which Cooke converted.

Westoe turned up the heat and scored two tries, firstly from second row forward Matt Holland, and secondly from hooker Nigel Douglas, both from excellent driving mauls from line outs to take the lead.

The advantage was short-lived as Malton fought back. Prop forward Carl Rushworth led the way with a driving run.

A quickly recycled ball to Creber gave him the opportunity to open up the gap for Ryan to storm over for his second try.

Westoe were determined to hold onto top place and tried desperately to get back onto level terms.

Malton had other ideas and, with Ryan temporarily indisposed with a blood injury, almost increased the lead.

Replacement Ryan Lonsdale burst through the visitors' defence on halfway and looked a certain scorer before he was hauled down just inches short of the line.

Malton kept pressing and a succession of penalties saw Cooke convert the two kickable opportunities to extend the lead.

Westoe's pack, although second best in every other department, were still dominant on their own line-out ball and another catch and drive produced yet another try for replacement prop Dave Tennet, converted by Stephenson, to bring the gap to just one point.

With time running out Malton looked like causing the upset of the season, but in the dying seconds Westoe were awarded a penalty 20 metres out in front of the posts and Stephenson converted as the final whistle blew on a great game of rugby.

York's visit to Hartlepool in Northumberland and Durham One was postponed because the hosts' ground was unfit. The fixture will be re-scheduled for later in the season.

York RI's game at Northallerton also fell victim to the weather.

Updated: 10:25 Monday, January 10, 2005