A TWELVE-TRY try demolition of Ponteland put Malton and Norton RUFC into pole position of Durham/Northumberland 1 after front-runners Horden unexpectedly lost to lowly Redcar.

Malton stormed home 71-5 and were quickly into their stride, with scrum half Tom Stephenson taking a quick penalty and feeding centre Ryan Lonsdale, who battled over for the opening try.

Full-back Ian Cooke set up the next score, kicking downfield for winger Tom Pateman to hack on and touch down. Cooke added the conversion.

Malton's pack, with hooker Carl Muscroft and flanker Andy Mitchell to the fore, were in control and some of their interplay and handling was of the highest standard.

Pateman got the next score after 15 minutes with a sharp finish after good work by the forwards, Cooke adding the conversion.

Cooke was soon on target with another conversion after the Malton forwards gained turnover ball and fed Lonsdale, who swatted off a trio of would-be tacklers to cross for another try.

Ponteland pulled a try back through Mark Kelly a try but that was the last the visitors were to see of the ball as Malton turned o the power.

More quick handling paved the way for prop James Machin to go over and give Malton a large lead at the interval.

The first try of the second half saw fly-half Chris Creber deftly scissor with centre Lonsdale before receiving the return pass to go over.

Malton then introduced leading scorer Ben Hough, prop Paul Dobson and back row Karl Shaw and they were soon in the action.

Further tries came in spectacular fashion. Hough broke clear in his own 22-metre area and scrum half Tom Stephenson carried on the move with Dobson, who fed Cooke for a well worked try. Hough converted and Malton turned on some exhibition rugby with further tries coming from Ian Cooke, Pateman and Hough.

Lonsdale was man of the match but he was closely followed by front row men Machin and Muscroft and fellow centre David Webster.

Updated: 11:04 Monday, March 27, 2006