Malton and Norton made hard work of their 29-21 victory over Bradford Salem in Yorkshire Three.

The rugby matched the dark dreary weather as Malton made struggled to keep their unbeaten home record intact.

The home side looked to have the edge in the three-quarters but the forward exchanges were just about even with Malton appearing to be lacking in venom and urgency.

Midway through the first half Bradford opened the scoring when their man of the match fly-half Joe Simpson left the Malton defence in tatters to scamper over from 22 yards out to touch down and convert himself.

Malton were stung into action and a good break from fly-half David Webster was carried on by Richard John who crashed over to close the gap. Ian Cooke converted to level the points.

Another lack lustre period followed and Malton paid the penalty when Simpson opened up the defence to get his second try, which he again converted.

The signs of recovery were there after the break and Malt drew level through a well-worked try from Richmond converted by Cooke. This was quickly followed by a Cooke penalty to take the lead.

The home side quickly increased the lead when substitute prop Steve Riddolls forced his way over for Cooke to convert.

Another Cooke penalty increased the margin further before a series of forward drives led to the ball being passed wide to No 8 Phil Ryan who crossed. Cooke converted.

Malt should have finished the tie, but Salem came back strongly and after a number of penalties were conceded close to the Malt line Riddolls was sin-binned for persistent offending.

Salem prop Simon Davis crashed over and Simpson converted to set up a tense finish but Malton held on.

Updated: 11:49 Monday, November 19, 2001