A LAST-gasp conversion from the boot of Malvern's Steve Ott brought the curtain down on a fast and furious game of cup rugby at Spring Lane on Saturday.

MALVERN 18PTS, UNIVERSIRY COLLEGE, WORCESTER 16PTS

North Midlands Cup quarter-final

Students from University College Worcester showed why they had won the Colleges League at a canter, with former Malvern coach Andy Cushing at the helm.

The visitors were leading with five minutes to go, but a disciplined Malvern responded, the pack driving forward to the roar of the crowd.

As the line beckoned, the ball popped up to the menacing form of 21-stone James Hynes, who crashed over to level.

That brought Steve Ott forward to slot the conversion just ahead of the whistle.

Earlier, Malvern had opened well with an Ott penalty after three minutes. The coaches dictated that the battle must be won in the tight and the side responded, winning further reward from a Tom Green try after 25 minutes.

That advantage quickly disappeared, when UCW's Rob Cook charged down a Dave King cross-field kick and then ran 60 metres to touch down and give himself an easy conversion.

The pace really picked up after half-time. Malvern again took the early points, Ott slotting a penalty given after a hand in the ruck.

However, the students upped their game and Cook's boot brought them level and then ahead, thanks to a finely-judged drop-goal with ten minutes left.

Minutes later and Malvern were staring defeat in the face after another Cook penalty but the home side's discipline and power came to the rescue.

A relieved Malvern director of rugby, David Robins, described the action as "a real nail-biter" and paid tribute to the UCW effort.

He added: "However, we had the edge up front and our defence was superb, keeping their fast men quiet. It's a relief to have got through to the semi-finals despite not having played to our full potential."

Malvern return to league duties tomorrow (Saturday) with a home fixture against Stafford, kick-off 2.30pm.