It's tough at the top of Durham/Northumberland 1, as Malton and Norton perished 20-10 at fellow-title chasers Horden who are always difficult to beat on home territory.

Malton began lethargically and were punished inside the first minute with a trademark Horden try through the centre channel. Fly-half Andy Turner added the conversion and shortly afterwards added a penalty when Malton were caught offside.

Worse was to follow when a good kick from Turner produced a lineout from which the hosts drove over, Turner again adding the extras.

At last Malton woke up only to go further behind when a penalty was conceded for not releasing the ball after a tackle.

Almost immediately a similar award went Malton's way and full-back Ben Hough converted.

Malton were starting to fire up and, when a Horden cross-kick failed to find its target, Hough seized the loose ball and raced away from the defence to score from 50 metres out. He added the conversion and breathed hope into Malton as they went into the interval.

Malton were dominant for most of the second-half. However, the Welfare Ground is a fortress to Horden and a mixture of stout defence and crucial decisions going their way saved the day.

Malton did manage to cross the line on two occasions, once from a forward drive when the ball was adjudged not to have been grounded and another when winger Ian Cooke touched down a loose ball over the line but was denied when he was ruled to have knocked on in the process. Both were hard decisions on the visitors.

Horden, however, were deserved winners between two of the best three sides in the league but if Malton can start to play as well in the opening stages of a game as they do in the latter stages they will find few peers during the remainder of the campaign.

Saturday's home encounter against leaders Northern will be a test of their mettle. Both sides play a similar open style of rugby which should produce a fine spectacle.

Updated: 11:30 Monday, December 05, 2005