Malton & Norton 36 Yarnbury 24

YARNBURY are still searching for the right formula for away success after this defeat to their promotion-chasing rivals.

The Horsforth side have been imperious at home but they continue to be vulnerable on their travels in a highly-competitive division.

They selected a strong side for Saturday's encounter with the experienced Carl Paterson talking over from Olly Hardaker at stand off, while Lee Mortimer moved into the centre from right wing to accommodate Alex Clark.

The early exchanges saw Yarnbury on top with Paterson controlling the ball and pushing Malton back and it was no surprise when they moved the ball quickly left to put winger Clark away on the overlap for a try in the corner. The conversion was missed by Paterson.

Yarnbury were seeing plenty of the ball in these early exchanges and a clean break by Jason Avison down the centre nearly brought a quick second score.

The home side were clearly rattled but the home pack gathered themselves to take control mainly through their pack. The forwards provided regular opportunities for their backs to run the ball around the park.

Their three South Africans were all making their mark with scrum half Zwelakhe Sodladla proving a real menace.

Malton dragged Yarnbury around the park and created an overlap for full back Sizwe Zondo to go in under the posts with Sodladla converting. Winger Ian Cooke then got away on the blind side to score a second try.

The Yarnbury pack defended well when wing forward Joe Bennett was yellow carded for a second technical offence and wing Rob Rigby followed to the sin bin five minutes from the half-time for a high tackle to reduce them to 13 men.

It got worse after the break when a kick out of defence rebounded over the line for Malton wing forward Sam Triffitt to score a try which Sodladla again converted.

Yarnbury finally got their second try with an impressive maul and drive over the Malton line with No 8 James Barrett getting the final touch.

Malton prop Rob Featherstone went over for an unconverted try. and further scores from full back Zondo and stand-off Nick Daley put the home side out of reach.

Yarn bury introduced Oli Hardaker at full back, Ian Maycock in the second row and Toby Brown at prop and they finished strongly, scoring two tries to take a bonus point.

Barrett was on the end of another driving maul for his second try before Jason Avison finished off a length of the field move which featured Paterson, Hardaker and Clark.