Malvern 23 Hinckley 15

Over the years the two combatants involved at spring Lane have served up some entertaining fare, and Saturday’s match was no exception. The Leicestershire side started with purpose and took the ball deep into Malvern territory, winning a penalty to touch. The catch and drive was set up and flanker Matt Fearn went over, setting up a Ryan Oakes conversion for a 6^th minute lead to the visitors. Malvern responded by taking play to the visitors, putting in some excellent ball recycling between backs and forwards. The always dangerous Nick Miller made a strong break and number eight Chris Griffiths was on his shoulder to power through to score, Adam Dixon putting over the conversion to level the scores. Malvern were in the ascendency and probing away at the strong Hinckley defence, finally forcing them into conceding a 20^th minute penalty for Dixon to put the hosts in the lead. This was the start of an action packed 5 minutes as Hinckley capitalised on a poor clearance to drive deep into Malvern territory, setting up a driving maul which ended with prop Dave Peck touching down to retake the lead. Malvern made an instant response as loose head Jamie Tsang broke the line and freed up the ball, a cross field kick finding Miller who made no mistake to touch down and give the lead back to the hosts. They continued to keep Hinckley pinned back until the end of the half, when the visitors drove into home territory, winning a penalty which Oakes put over to level the scores once more just before half time.

The second period was evenly matched as both sides strove for dominance, defences holding strong to deny further activity on the scoreboard. However, that changed when Malvern won a penalty to touch, the resultant drive by the pack taking them towards the Hinckley line, Tsang breaking from the back of the maul to retake the lead. As Malvern continued to press Hinckley were forced to defend and offended once too often, resulting in a yellow card for earn. They conceded another penalty 37 metres out and Dixon put the ball between the uprights to give the Sky Blues an eight point cushion with 17 minutes left. Hinckley made some tactical substitutions, their tactic being to use their pack to try and drive Malvern back. However, some great defence by the Spring Lane men saw them push Hinckley 20 metres backwards on their own ball as some ferocious tackling kept them at bay. A further drive to the Malvern line was held up and Malvern continued to keep the door firmly closed until time was signalled.

Malvern Chairman Peter Woods said “This was an excellent and absorbing game between two well-matched sides. Furthermore it was played in the proper spirit and well refereed by an official who showed consistency throughout. The two clubs share a similar ethos, which has resulted in a close bond being formed over the years. Close games are the norm and enduring friendships continue off the field. We now look to our two remaining games to cement a top-half place in the table, then to beginning g our preparations for next season.”