Conditions underfoot were far from perfect owing to the heavy overnight rains and Hessle, who currently prop up Yorkshire Division Three, were a long way short of full strength.

However, Malton still managed to treat the Gannock supporters to a nine-try bonanza in a 57-3 triumph.

Malton dominated all aspects of play from start to finish, apart from the line-out where honours were even. The first score came after five minutes when Malton used the threequarters for the first time to send left wing Liam Cowton over in the corner for the first of his hat-trick of tries.

It soon became apparent that the Malton pack were going to take the set scrums by storm and constantly drove the Hessle eight backwards, stealing possession in the process.

This was the source of the next try when from a scrum 20 metres out from the Hessle line Malton shoved them back over the line for No8 forward James McKay to touch down.

Hessle rallied briefly and converted a penalty to narrow the gap slightly. Although playing in fits and starts Malton had too much pace and further tries came from McKay and Cowton, both converted by Ian Cooke to give Malton a 24-3 lead at the break.

The second period was very much as the first with Malton dominating everything but possibly trying too hard to impress.

Some brilliant handling, particularly by fly-half Chris Creber and centre David Webster, saw the latter pluck a pass from his toes before beating the entire defence for the best try of the match.

Tim Chapman, on as a replacement, treated everyone to signs of his class with a try and a great run deep into Hessle territory before handing on to Creber, who did remarkably well to stay in support, to touch down under the posts.

Flanker Andy Mitchell also crossed and Cowton completed his hat-trick. Cooke added four second-half conversions.

Malton could well have doubled their tally in better conditions and with a little more care with some of the handling.

McKay was the sponsor's man of the match and there were also outstanding performances from skipper Creber and centre Matt Richmond.

With promotion rivals Heath and Leeds Corinthians both losing, Malton not only drastically improved their points for and against tables but jumped right back into the promotion race.

Next week's encounter with Bramley will be a crunch match but the mood is positive.

Updated: 12:09 Monday, January 28, 2002