MALVERN Seconds made the short trip north last Saturday to take on Chaddesley's firsts, a side renowned for its forward-based driving style.

CHADDESLEY CORBETT 6pts, MALVERN II 26pts

Malvern came away with the spoils after a gruelling encounter which had plenty to offer the watching crowd.

Winning the toss, the home captain inexplicably chose to play down the steep slope with a near gale behind in the first half. On a heavy pitch, which sapped the energy, it was a choice which worked in Malvern's favour.

Defending against the conditions, Malvern's experienced pack kept things tight, mauling well and setting up several productive drives when in possession, tackling and controlling the gain line when in defence.

The hosts stuck to their own driving game, using their powerful back row to hit the defensive line, but Malvern's own back row, strengthened by the inclusion of Owain Wynne at eight, consistently achieved the turnover.

As half-time approached, and with only two penalties to show for their efforts, Chaddesley found themselves on the back foot as fly-half Dave Green, receiving from number nine George Blakeway, sliced through the defence to threaten the line. With full-back Chris Williams in support, a try seemed a certainty, but Green was unable to get the pass away and the chance was lost.

Starting the second period 6-0 down, but with the benefit of the conditions, the visitors expanded their game, with Blakeway making good use of quicker ball and the cool head of centre Gareth Richards orchestrating the midfield.

Malvern's dominance quickly turned into points as Williams set up a maul, then extricated himself in time to take the pass and skip through two tackles before accelerating away to open the visitors' account. Almost immediately, further Malvern pressure saw the ball spun out to Richards, who after a beautiful show-and- go, cruised over for his first try of the season. Adam Dixon added the extra two points to put the visitors 12-6 ahead.

The hosts continued to compete, their strong running number eight being utilised to good effect, but his opposite number, Wynne, repeatedly backed-up flanker Stuart Clark's tackling to steal the ball and thwart Chaddesley's efforts.

Again using the conditions well, Green's boot sent the ball deep into home territory and good pressure from winger Dave Beech forced the defence to concede the line-out, from which quick hands released Beech to skate over unopposed. Dixon again converted with the help of the post.

Malvern's tight-five continued to dominate with props Steve Cooper and Kim Withnall carrying strongly and lock Chris Smith securing line-out ball to starve Chaddesley of possession.

Following another rumble down the slope, Wynne broke free to crash towards the line. Brought to ground two yards short, he showed good presence of mind to roll out of the attempted tackle and stretch a long arm to touch down for Malvern's fourth. Dixon coolly slotted the conversion.

Further Chaddesley efforts were contained by a well-organised defence, particularly in the last ten minutes when the home pack laid siege to the Malvern line five metres out.

Recycling the ball well and using their big forwards, the hosts launched a bruising series of attacks, but the breakthrough never came and Malvern ran down the clock to secure the result.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Malvern Seconds have a pool game.