MALVERN used this friendly to introduce some of their promising young players to the top level of junior rugby and were not disgraced.

MALVERN A 15pts, DUDLEY KINSWINFORD II 24pts

DK fielded several first team regulars from their National League squad and looked very sharp in the back division, where incisively angled runs ultimately led to the tries that won them the game. However, for Malvern this match was more about looking at potential first XV players than the end result.

The Malvern pack dominated throughout the match, the front five embarrassing their higher ranked opposition in both the set scrums and the line out. For 15 minutes the Spring Lane side kept DK pinned in their own half, frustrating the visitors into errors that finally saw an outbreak of fisticuffs when Chris Smith was taken out of the game following some foul play at a line out.

Paul Hart moved up to second row and Simon Lovegrove took over at flanker, putting in an excellent performance in an unfamiliar position.

Dudley finally shook off Malvern's shackles and showed themselves to be a well-drilled outfit, taking the ball at pace and cutting through the Malvern defence to score after 17 minutes. Stand off Sam Kelly pulled back three points from a penalty, the Malvern pack continued to dominate up front but the DK backs added two more converted tries to turn round 19-3 up at the break.

In the second half it was all Malvern, the forwards honing their pick up and drive game and putting DK under constant pressure. After a controlled rumble deep into the visitor's territory Malvern forced a five-metre scrum and Andy Ridley picked up to dive over, Kelly converting to put them back in the hunt.

DK responded immediately by putting a penalty deep into the Malvern half. Having lost George Blakeway's experienced leadership to a shoulder injury, the sparky Sam Hardcastle took over at scrum half and Paul Hart assumed the leadership mantle. DK won the line out and their first team flanker scored.

Malvern replied by going on another long distance forward drive, then spread the ball wide for winger Rob Young to score and win the second half on points.

Coach Andy Cushing and director of rugby David Robins were both agreed that the second half display was excellent. Considering that the majority of the players hadn't played as a unit previously, the commitment had been superb and the pack had dominated proceedings almost totally, so the exercise had been well worth the effort.

This Saturday Malvern are away to Hinckley in the league, with a coach for players and supporters leaving at noon.

The Third XV are home to Old Halesonians in a merit table match following their 39-15 drubbing of Droitwich Second XV.