Malton & Norton 0

Old Otliensians 0

The mid-week Aire-Wharfe Cup game at Keighley added to Otliensians' injured list and the first XV travelled to Malton with many regular second XV players.

Three players failed to arrive for various reasons and the 14 players who eventually took the field included seven regular second XV players. Without the required complement of four front-row forwards the league points were conceded before a ball was kicked but Otliensians, having already defeated Malton and Norton earlier in the season, were keen to compete.

Uncontested scrums were the order of the day but Otliensians were first to attack on a hard pitch, thin on grass but rich in sand. Malton took some 20 minutes to realise that all they had to do was move the ball wide to exploit their pace and extra man.

They began to run-in tries at regular intervals although the Otliensian pack worked hard to contain their opposite numbers in the loose. During a period of pressure Otliensians were unlucky not to cross for a try but Ian Chaplin, playing at scrum-half for the first time, kicked a penalty.

As usual, when the advantage is wholly with one side, the underdogs rarely have the benefit of decisions and two of the home side's tries came from forward passes and a Mattie Tenniswood interception and certain try was judged off-side.

Early in the second-half, Otliensians were soon on the back foot and whilst the home team tackled manfully with stand-off Rob Wilkes and back row man Dave Smith outstanding, they failed to move up quickly on the ball carrier, making defence even more difficult.

The home backs were always a handful and were impossible to contain. With 15 minutes remaining, Otliensians were reduced to 13 men when Wilkes had to leave the field with a rib injury.

Given a full pack this could have been a very competitive game but full credit must be given to the whole team who tried their utmost throughout. For the league purposes Malton take the league points and the for/against points count is registered at 0-0.

As the season draws to a close, future fixtures are against tourists HSBC from London on Sunday (noon kick-off) followed by the inter-club sevens on Saturday, April 27. The final league game against Heath is on Wednesday, May 1, at 7 pm.

West Park get a win at last

West Park 30

Pocklington 9

Although already doomed to relegation West Park put on a spirited display against bottom side Pocklington to record their first victory since November. The Park forwards took control and were in the ascendancy for most of the game.

After a Pocklington penalty Jason Whitehead led the counter attack with a jinking run and only a knock on prevented a try. Poor discipline led to two further penalties by the visitors and a nine point deficit appeared too large for a try shy Park outfit.

Just on half-time Craig Hardy forced his way through and touched down to narrow the gap to four points at the break.

Despite two missed penalties early in the half Park were on top and a fine break by Matt Stevens put Brendan French over. Rob Wilyman took most of the line-out ball and after a further bout of pressure wing forward Tim Corrigan charged over with Monkhouse converting.

Monkhouse also added a penalty. Rhys Llewellyn crashed over for the fourth. Hardy again featured in the final try by French. A win at last for Park saves them from finishing bottom in a disappointing season.