With lots of players still out through injury, credit has to be given to those remaining. It’s tough, all clubs have injuries so the players coming in to the team and those glueing things together are putting a massive effort in. Lee Denham continues to work on the areas of the game that need improvement. After a great win at Percy Park last week, York welcomed Malton. York were without Chris Fox,John Dawes and George Davies. Luke Stockton played alongside Dave Rhodes in the second row and a debut for Will Fordy in the centres to join Sam Potrykus.

York defended well against a persistent Malton attack to begin the game. The Malton nine, Paul Angus, missed a penalty (off the post and out) and York were able to beat back an attacking Malton line-out drive with hard work from the forward pack. After being tested in the tight and in the open, Liam Hessay cleared with an important kick. On a cold day, there was parity in the scrums and line-outs. Territory was vital and it was York’s turn to attack. Rich Downey looked dangerous when he received the ball in space. He used his pace to escape the majority of the Malton defence before losing control of the ball. Sam Potrykus is solid at inside centre and tanks the ball well; Freddie Smith also carried smartly. After steady attacking play, York won a penalty, Hessay kicked it and York led 3-0. Malton returned fire as York remained stable and organised. Hessay cleared after any Malton mistakes. Shane Goulding forced his man back, held him up and won possession for York but Malton continued to surge forward. Will Fordy came inside to make a spot tackle in the open to deny Malton space to score on the outside. Pressure told eventually though and Paul Angus levelled the score with a penalty kick. 3-3.Tom Foan, the Malton outside centre, received a yellow card for a dump tackle and after a dominant scrum, York had the opportunity to score before half-time but they were unlucky not to. York retained possession through a number of phases. Freddie Smith drove forward and the pack secured the ball for Toby Atkin to distribute, but the effective Malton defence won a penalty to relieve the pressure. 3-3 at half-time in an even game.

Will Fordy made an intelligent break to get behind the Malton defensive line and give York advantageous field position to open the second half. There was sustained York pressure for the next ten minutes but they couldn’t breach the line. Hessay missed a penalty and there was another yellow card for Malton for their 7. York were camping in the Malton half. Goulding was inches from the Malton line after he broke from a scrum but he was penalised and Malton cleared. After the release of pressure and back to a full complement of players, Malton were rewarded for their resilience. Paul Angus kicked two quick penalties to take it to 3-9. York were desperate to get back in to a game that they had played a full part in but Malton wouldn’t let up. Rob Featherstone scored the only try of the game from close range which Paul Angus converted to give the visitors victory and the scoreboard a lopsided effect. York tried to get back in to the game in the remaining minutes but it was over except for a red card at the death to York’s Luke Stockton.

York are at Bradford and Bingley next Saturday and away at Consett on the Saturday after that. Hopefully with some players back from injury !