After two indifferent, but winning, displays, Malton gave an improved display to beat Billingham, who were probably the best side they have encountered this season.

The 44-19 win in Durham/Northumberland One included a flurry of tries in an entertaining tussle.

Malt got five of them, all after an early penalty to set them on their way by full-back Ben Hough, who gave an impeccable display of kicking with two further penalties, five conversions and fine tactical kicks.

Scrum-half Andy Newsome set up Tim Carney for their first try under the posts with a nice change of direction.

Their next try came on the back of a good advantage played by the referee after a high tackle in midfield. Play was allowed to continue as Malton went through three phases of ruck and maul before hooker Carl Muscroft broke off to force his way over.

Carney got his second try Hough ran the ball out of defence and passed to fly-half Chris Creber, who outwitted the visitors to put the centre in for a 24-5 half-time lead.

Muscroft powered over for his second after substitute flanker Karl Shaw stole the ball at a maul, and Hough - who played in Leeds Tykes Academy's defeat of England Under-19s, a game in which fellow Malton player Tom Denton also played - stepped past several tackles for a solo try to add to his points tally.

Back to form David Cooke was man of the match, closely followed by Hough, Carney and Muscroft, but the down-side of the day was the three tries conceded, something which will be looked at before the next league encounter in a fortnight at fellow title-chasers Horden.

Billingham winger Andy Evans got tries in either half, the first following a break that should have been halted, and the second when bursting through from a lineout.

Centre John Stewart also crossed after some poor tackling, while John Durnion added two conversions.

Updated: 10:07 Monday, November 21, 2005