Malvern 27 South Leicester 27
After a draw at the promotion chasing South Leicester’s ground earlier in the season, the young Malvern squad were unfazed by hosting a much stronger side at Spring Lane on Saturday. The Green and Whites had only lost one game all season and came to Worcestershire as clear favourites. However, confidence in the Malvern squad has grown steadily in recent weeks, with several players coming of age, and even the setback of a second minute try from Sam Greasely didn’t upset the game plan overmuch. Souths put in a strong first quarter, using their big forwards to batter away at a stalwart Malvern defence, but even when the home side were down to 14 men after Ieuan Mustow’s yellow card, the ramparts remained unbreached. Slowly getting back into the game, Malvern’s mobile forwards ran at Souths and secured quick ball to set the probing back division away, Robin Fransson getting close but bundled into touch as the visiting defence scampered across. Playing some great pick and drive Malvern got closer to the Souths red zone as Phil Rawle, Matt Williams and Rory Gratwohl all made good yards. A final drive to the line saw Christian Edwards touch the ball down to level the scores in the 34th minute. On the stroke of half time Malvern ran the ball from defence with Matt Humphreys going up the tramlines then slipping it inside to Jamie Tsang. Luke Milton came storming in from full back as the ball was spread wide and outpaced the defence to score and give Fransson the conversion and a 12-5 half time lead to the Spring Lane outfit.
In a repeat of the first half South Leicester got a second minute score as Kieron Collins ran in under the posts as Malvern missed tackles, Mark Lord’s conversion evening the scores up. However, the lead was restored two minutes later as Fransson intercepted a loose pass and ran in to score in the corner after a 70 metre dash. With Malvern tackling everything Souths could throw at them, Adam Dixon in demonic form to take the Waitrose Man of the Match Award, the visitors were being forced into errors. Malvern again capitalised as Souths fumbled and nick Miller hacked on and collected to run in a try for Dixon to convert for a 24-12 lead. However, South Leicester haven’t been competing near the top by giving up easily, and they ground their way back into the game, working the ball into the Malvern 22 with a succession of driving mauls then releasing the ball for centre Gareth Clarke to score in the 55th minute. The game continued to thrill the sizeable crowd with both sides attacking and counter-attacking. Souths again forced their way into the Malvern 22 and another forwards drive saw Chris Bale go over and Lord convert to even the scores again. Malvern again ran at the Souths defence and Tim Pickard went on a burst, Souths infringed and Dixon’s penalty retook the lead with 13 minutes left. Four minutes later Lord replied with a three pointer to once again put Souths level and a frantic last 10 minutes saw ore end to end stuff as each side tried to secure the win. A last minute long range penalty from Lord had the home crowd on tenterhooks but the kick fell short and the final whistle went to end a thoroughly absorbing and entertaining game of rugby. The Malvern coaching team were pleased with the side’s display, whilst some of the players felt they should have won the game, but in any event it was an excellent performance by a young side growing in confidence as the season progresses.
Malvern now have two successive away games at Newport, in the league this Saturday then in the semi-final of the North Midlands Cup on the 11th February. The two sides on equal on points in the league, so Malvern have a great opportunity to repay their Shropshire rivals for an early season defeat at Spring Lane and leapfrog them in the table.
