OLD SALTLEIANS U14s 22pts,

MALVERN U14 Pirates 24pts

MALVERN U14 Pirates were pitched-up against a much physically bigger Old Salts side than the one that they had beaten soundly at Spring Lane in December.

Nevertheless, the Pirates rose to the challenge and despite a rally by the home side in the last quarter of the match, the Pirates came away victorious.

Old Salts did most of the running early in the match and Malvern were forced to defend to the man. But, the home side took their chances and scored a converted try.

Malvern regrouped and took the initiative and kept Old Salts locked in their own 22. Winger Andy Kott, was unfortunate to have his darting run for the line stopped within a metre of scoring.

A Malvern counter-attack instigated by full back John Brierly resulted in more desperate Old Salts defence. From the resulting scrum, the Pirates skipper, Will Bowen put Malvern back in contention with an unconverted try.

Old Salts used the slope well and long driving kicks pushed the visitors back. From a line-out move, Old Salts recycled the ball quickly and their powerful centres running from depth penetrated the Malvern defence to bag another five points.

But Malvern were more than equal to the challenge and they forced Old Salts to concede a series of penalties that resulted in Will Bowen collecting his second try with the two extra points from an impressive John Brierly conversion. The score was 12-12 at the break.

David Wood replaced Stefan Milo and the big lock forward made his presence felt securing possession after the kick-off. The Malvern pack pressed home their advantage and when the ball came out of the driving maul to the backs, David Morgans danced through the Old Salts defence only to be stopped five metres short of the try-line. Quick ball from scrum-half Rhys Coles found lock forward and man-of-the match Simon Elliott coming from depth to claim his first try of the season, converted by John Brierly to put Malvern in front for the first time.

Bowen was taken-off because of his reoccurring knee injury and Malvern battled on with 14 players. Old Salts took the advantage and scored two tries in quick succession to establish a five-point lead going into the final minutes of the match.

The Pirates were fired into action and probing kicks from Richard Pitt, deep into the Old Salts half, caused havoc resulting in a penalty. A quick-tap start by flanker Ross Thomas caught the Old Salts defence napping and slick handling out-wide by the Malvern forwards found a rampaging David Wood unmarked to claim the touchdown and secure the winning points for the Pirates.

This weekend, the Pirates, sponsored by Banana Fitness & Health are on the road again, calling in at Banbury RUFC with the Malvern U15 squad to compete in the prestigious Banbury Tens festival.