Malton & Norton RUFC’s recent resurgence came to an abrupt end at Huddersfield as the stand-out team in the North One East triumphed 61-17.
Full of pace, power and precision, Huddersfield blitzed Malton in the opening 25 minutes scoring five converted tries to run up a 35-0 scoreline.
The final five minutes of the half gave Malton some hope. A series of pick and drives from the pack took them to within a few yards of the home line. From a Huddersfield scrum the home scrum-half attempted to kick clear.
However, the alert Malton back row were quickly on to him and charged down the kick to set up another maul.
As the mass moved forward substitute back row George Nutt took command to get the touchdown.
Two minutes later Malton struck again. Good forward pressure took them into scoring territory and after several pick and drives substitute prop forward Nick Salisbury burrowed his way over for his side’s second try to reduce the arrears to 35-10 by half-time.
The second half almost mirrored the first. Huddersfield added to their tally after ten minutes with a try from a line-out catch and drive but Malton again had a patch of brilliance.
A break involving wing Leki Atiola and full-back Ian Cooke took Malton to the Huddersfield 22 metre area, where the pack took over and scrum-half Tom Boyle got the touchdown in the corner for Charlie Ramsay to convert.
Huddersfield again raised their game and, although Malton defended bravely, there was little they could do to hold the power and pace of the clinical home side.
Malton must now regroup before Saturday’s home derby against Pocklington.
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