MALTON AND NORTON 10

OTLIENSIANS 3

ONCE again Otliensians were compelled to make changes when they visited fellow strugglers Malton and Norton. Graham Bentley and Neil Hendry were unavailable along with Tony Twist who was injured.

Ian Chaplin and Anthony Collins came into the backs with Andy Rayner moving into the pack.

A further complication arose when due to a transport mix-up Andy Hayward did not arrive at the ground so Jonny Hendry had to leave the back row to deputise in the centre and Simon Dykes took over in the back row.

Paddy Wilkinson was left as the lone replacement on the bench.

The game was evenly contested in all phases with each side having half chances but not being able to capitalise.

Just when it appeared that half-time was nigh a clearing kick from Otliensians 22 failed to find touch and was run back by the Malton forwards and when Otliensians were penalised at the ensuing ruck the Malton lock picked up to drive over.

The conversion put them seven points ahead and the half-time whistle went immediately after. Otliensians started the second-half with Paddy Wilkinson taking the place of Dykes who suffered an injury.

A similar pattern was maintained in the second-half with plenty of spirited effort by both sides and Otliensians received a boost when Dobson slotted over a penalty. This was soon followed by a penalty by Malton.

Although Otliensians had periods on the attack there was no cutting edge and they were able to maintain periods of territorial advantage.

This was another case of what might have been but it would be difficult to improve the position unless a regular 15 can be fielded.

Otliensians A 18

Malton and Norton A 22

This was an excellent game which was very competitive throughout with the home side starting well they took an early lead with a Darren Hardie try after a typical Mark Sellars burst.

Roy Aldridge's conversion put them seven points ahead.

Malton's reply was swift, a break in the centre and good passing put the winger over but there was no conversion.

Continuing to attack Otliensians went further ahead with an excellent individual try from scrum-half Steve Foster who saw half a gap and was over like a flash.

There was no conversion. but Malton reduced the arrears with a penalty just before the break leaving Otliensians 12-8 ahead.

The see-saw nature continued in the second-half with the visitors taking the lead with a converted try but the scores were levelled with a well-struck penalty by Foster and he increased it with a similar score minutes later.

This was the signal for ten minutes of furious pressure by the visitors who eventually got a try and the conversion put them 22-18 ahead.

The final whistle went as the conversion went over.

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