Malton and Norton's high fliers won their Yorkshire Shield first round tie at Wath-on-Dearne by 49-14.

A number of key players were rested in order to give those squad members who have not been regulars in the side the chance to show their paces for a full 80 minutes.

Malton opened brightly and soon went into a six point lead from two Liam Harvey penalties.

An early lead has proved Malton's downfall in the past and despite having most of the territorial advantage they seemed content to sit on the lead. Consequently, on almost the first occasion Wath were able to attack they were gifted a try when fly half Tony Chappell was allowed to evade several tackles to score a good solo try. The conversion gave Wath the half time lead by one point.

From the restart Malton again surged into the Wath half and set up wave after wave of attacks and just as a score seemed certain a loose pass was intercepted in the Wath 22 area by a home centre David Ridley who sprinted the full length of the pitch to score.

Again the conversion was successful and Malton had a mountain to climb and climb it they did in brilliant style.

The pack began to take a stranglehold and with Chris Creber back to marshall his threes a procession of tries followed.

Some excellent ball handling by both the forwards and the backs bemused the frail Wath defence on numerous occasions and one brilliant solo run from David Webster was only halted by a last ditch tackle.

In the final 30 minutes the scores came thick and fast. Centre Arthur Wilson crowned a solid display with two tries, Webster got a deserved score and Creber himself crossed.

Not to be outdone, the forwards also got themselves on the scoresheet through Steve Riddolls, Jim Fisher and one from a storming David Cooke run.

Scrum half Liam Harvey added two penalties and four conversions.

In support, Carl Rushworth was again outstanding and Ian Cooke was unfortunate not to get onto the scoresheet with some very deceptive running.

Malton go into next Saturday's home league match with Yorkshire Three joint leaders Heath in good heart.

If they can maintain this level of performance they need fear no side and now that the majority of the fringe players have shown their talents there is strength in depth and the side will not be weakened whoever plays.

Goole beat their North East 2 visitors Old Crossleyans 19-3 after leading 14-3 at half-time.

James Dougherty got two tries, both converted by James Ruhmann, who also scored a try.

Ripon won 26-0 at Bramley Phoenix in the Yorkshire Shield second round, all the points coming in the first twenty minutes. Mark Greensitt, Paul Goldsmith and Brad Atkinson scored Ripon's tries and they were awarded a penalty try. Scott McCara kicked three conversions.

Updated: 12:05 Monday, February 05, 2001