MALVERN RFC entered a team into the famous Kinsale International tournament held in Ireland and surpassed all expectations by reaching the semi-final of the junior competition with ten players drawn from the first team squad.

Opening the tournament against London Irish wasn't exactly the introduction Malvern were looking for but they rose to the occasion and, after a slow start, came back from 17-5 down with a Ben Hughes try at the death to win 26-24.

With confidence growing their next opponents Harp (USA) were equally tough. This time the slow start was again evident, but late tries from Rob Young and Matt Williams saw Malvern home 22-17, to secure a place in the next day's main cup competition.

The Saturday morning round robin was completed by a game against Dublin side Old Crescent. This was to be a different affair completely as Malvern let in three early tries, against what turned out to be the tournament's winning side. However, a change of tactics by head coach George Blakeway saw a spirited fight-back and a try by Gareth Richards, but there was little time to claw back the early mistakes, Malvern losing 21-7.

Sunday's cup brought sudden death knockout competition. Over 44 teams from the world had entered sides, and the quarter-finals brought on Dublin-based side Stillorgan. Malvern produced without doubt the most staggering play of the tournament as they ran in 10 tries to win 62-0. Paul Hart (four tries) led the way with supporting cast Fleming and Jenkin bagging a brace, and solo efforts from Beech and Philpotts rounded out a splendid performance.

Just as it looked very bright for Malvern, a simple tactical error of not playing with a sweeper in the semi-final saw Malvern give away four tries in the first four minutes to their opponents Tunbridge Wells. From this start it was always going to be tough, but in front of a crowd of several thousand, Malvern produced the fight back of the tournament to level the scores, only to lose to a controversial penalty kick in sudden death play.

Malvern fell so close to the final but bowed out with heads held high, winning over many new fans with their open, cavalier style of play.

Later in the day, two Malvern players Rob Young and Matt Williams were invited to play against the South Sea Barbarians invitation side, in the select Senior Cup by tournament organisers. Acquitting themselves very well, Williams joined a small select group on the day, scoring and converting his own try set up by a scorching 80 metre run by Young.