Match Report: Malton & Norton 56 - 5 Cleckheaton

Cleckheaton opened their 2018/19 league account with their worst display for quite some time. This should not detract from the performance of their opposition, Malton & Norton, who showed determination and application throughout. However, for some reason, whilst the home team hit the ground running from the first whistle, Cleckheaton were not even at the races.

Malton sprang into a 13-0 lead without Cleckheaton having any meaningful possession at all. Two penalties, the first after just 3 minutes, sandwiched the home side’s opening try. Cleckheaton then contributed to their own misery having two men, In Alex Brown and James Wilson, consecutively sin binned for unnecessary foul play. With Cleckheaton depleted, Malton went in twice more before the break to turn around with a 25-0 advantage.

Your average pundit would say that Cleckheaton could still be in this game but needed to score first after the break to have any chance of turning it around. Whilst they kept Malton at bay for the opening 10 minutes of the half, unforced handling errors and poor kicking options gifted easy possession to their opposition. Malton played fast flowing rugby, off-loading the ball in tantalising fashion and broke through Cleckheaton on a number of occasions. When Cleckheaton opted to keep the ball in hand, probably their best tactic, they succumbed to turnover after turnover on a day where no one in the team really played well.

Malton racked up five more tries, four of which were scored before Cleckheaton finally got on the board with a rolling maul that was driven over from a line-out. At 49-5 Cleckheaton were dejected and ready for the whistle. To sum the day up, enthusiastic chasing of a kick from Malton and a mishandled bounce and failed regather, saw the home side have the last word with a try under the sticks on the 80th minute. The scoreboard, which remained on until the point at which Cleckheaton got back on their coach home, read 56-5, a fair reflection on the performance of each side. To say Cleckheaton were lacklustre would be being very kind, the team know that they are better than their performance last Saturday, again not to take anything away from Malton & Norton who were excellent on the day. Cleckheaton now need a few days to reflect but then need to get back on the horse as soon as possible and turn up to their game at home to Bradford & Bingley this weekend, ready to show their colours.