MALVERN'S seconds gave a warm welcome to visitors Redditch on an even warmer afternoon and both sides served up a thrilling match in which Malvern's superior fitness ensured the victory.

MALVERN II 50pts, REDDITCH I 31pts

Playing down the slope from the start, the Redditch pack, both huge and organised, forced the home side onto the back foot and were soon providing the platform for their backs to run in two converted tries.

Malvern struggled to contain their rampant opposition but closed the gap when centre Ben Ash scored with a mazy 60 metre run to touch down under the post. Adam Dixon converted easily.

The game's pace increased and when under pressure, the hosts spilled the ball in midfield. The visitors fly-hacked through, their centre winning the chase to score another converted effort and put his side 14 points clear.

With skipper Vince Hill to the fore for the hosts Malvern's pack asserted a measure of control, making good ground and releasing winger Ben Hughes, whose barrelling run scythed through the defence to score a seven pointer and put the scores 14-21 at the break.

With the advantage of the slope in the second period, the Malvern pack, lighter and more mobile than their opposition, began to force the pace and the visitors found themselves suddenly trailing as first wing Rod Young, then opposite wing Will Clee showed their pace to outstrip the defence, Clee's effort being converted well by Dixon.

Although tiring, Redditch raised their game and following good work by their pack, the ball was taken on by their inside-centre who broke through to score a fine try. The conversion restored the visitors' lead.

Malvern replacements, Tom O'Brien at scrum-half and flanker Gareth Davies linked to score a well-worked try, Davies crossing in the corner, before Redditch levelled the scores with a huge 45-metre penalty.

With the game entering the final quarter, the visitors' pack lost their edge and Malvern took the advantage with a series of powerful drives.

Dominating now in all areas, the hosts showed a thrilling mix of power and pace as first Young scored a second trademark try out wide, again Dixon converting, then O'Brien saw the gap and dived over after an impressive five phase attack. In the closing moment,s a superbly executed attack saw Young again showing his skills to side-step the defence before accelerating away to round the last man and touch down behind the posts for his hat-trick.

Dixon slotted his fifth conversion of the day with the last kick of the match.