A TRY from Bridgnorth within 90 seconds of kick-off was not the best start for the new year for the Malvern Pirates.

MALVERN U16 PIRATES 40pts, BRIDGNORTH U16s 5pts.

Receiving kick-off, the Malvern forwards carried the ball to the half-way but then lost it at the breakdown. The Malvern back division remained in the starting blocks and with very little cover defence in place, Bridgnorth sent the ball wide for their winger to cross the try-line unopposed.

Will Bowen, the Pirates' skipper, sounded the wake-up call and chasing the restart up the slope and against a strong driving wind, Malvern looked more the part. The Malvern forwards stole the ball from the visitors outside the 22 and Tom Longley's deft inside flick found the eager hands of Phil Shore.

A strong driving run from the Malvern centre was left unchallenged to allow him to level the scores before Longley secured the conversion to put Malvern 7-5 in front.

Bridgnorth had their chances to pull a score back but, affronted by Bridgnorth's early try, the resilience of the Pirate's defence close to their try-line was truly awesome as every Malvern player tackled with determination.

John Brierly, playing at outside centre, made the most of a cavernous gap in the Bridgnorth defence to sprint home to extend the Pirates lead to 12-5, before Phil Shore secured his second try and Longley added the extra two points to put the Pirates 19-5 in front.

After the break, with the conditions in their favour, the Pirates brought the speedsters into play and within minutes winger Craig Smith outstripped his marker to chase and collect a well placed kick by Longley to extend Malvern's lead still further.

Winger Giles Dawson crossed the line following excellent interplay between the Malvern back-row and the centre backs and winger Craig Smith collected his second try with an unopposed run to the line with Longley's three conversions pushing Malvern's score to the 40 point mark.