Malton & Norton produced a late fightback to snatch a 34–33 victory at Beverley, surviving a second-half comeback before Jack Redshaw’s late try secured a thrilling one-point win.

The visitors made an explosive start camped in the Beverley 22 for most of the opening quarter and opened the scoring after just 16 minutes when Will Dunn crossed the line following a latch with Charlie Read. Redshaw was unable to add the conversion, but Malton & Norton had established an early foothold.

Beverley responded with a try on 22 minutes and converted shortly afterwards to move 7–5 ahead. Another Beverley try on the half-hour mark extended the home side’s advantage to 12–5.

Malton & Norton, however, responded superbly.

Archie Johnson crossed in the 34th minute after a fantastic overload from a set play, with Jack Redshaw adding the conversion to bring the scores level at 12–12.

Just three minutes later, Bill Collier put the visitors back in front. Redshaw’s conversion was unsuccessful, but Malton & Norton were beginning to take control.

The momentum continued when Paul Angus crossed in the 39th minute after nipping through untouched from a line out on the 22, although Redshaw again missed the conversion.

Ali Fothergill added another try dancing down the left.
Redshaw then found his range with the conversion,

Beverley fight back

The second half proved to be a completely different contest.

Beverley came out strongly and began eating into the deficit. A try on 52 minutes, followed by a successful conversion, made it.

Another Beverley try seven minutes later reduced the gap further to three points. When the home side crossed again on 64 minutes and converted shortly afterwards, the scoreboard had swung dramatically to 33–29 in Beverley’s favour.

Having led by 15 points at half-time, Malton & Norton were suddenly four points behind with just over ten minutes remaining.

But the visitors refused to surrender.

Redshaw has the final say

With the game entering its final stages, Malton & Norton found the decisive score.

On 77 minutes, Jack Redshaw crossed the line to put the visitors back in front at 34–33.

A conversion would have provided some valuable breathing room, but Redshaw was unable to add the extras. That left Beverley with a final opportunity to turn the game around, but Malton & Norton held on to complete a dramatic away victory in our final preseason game before Regional 2 kicks off next week.

Malton & Norton scorers:
Tries: Will Dunn (16'), Archie Johnson (34'), Bill Collier (37'), Paul Angus (39'), Ali Fothergill (44'), Jack Redshaw (77')
Conversions: Jack Redshaw (35', 45')
Missed conversions: Jack Redshaw (17', 38', 39', 78')

Next week the 1st XV head to Wath upon Dearne for the first time in 13 seasons following their promotion, if you can't get over to South Yorkshire our Super Twos make their first league start at home to Leodensian kick off is 3pm

Half-time: Beverley 14–22 Malton & Norton
Full-time: Beverley 33–34 Malton & Norton