IT was a strange start to the day, because, after Malvern skipper Andy Longley and director of rugby David Robins inspected the pitch at 9am and passed it fit, with visible thawing happening all around, Longton, poor travellers by their own admission, sent an emissary with the obvious objective of a postponement an hour or so later.

MALVERN 26pts, LONGTON 10pts

Common sense prevailed, even after a pre-kick off attempt to have the game abandoned by the Potteries side's committee men. The sight of wellington boot clad elders trying to demonstrate hazards to life and limb at least caused great mirth to the assembling crowd, especially as the pitch was demonstrably softer than in September. However, a game of rugby football finally broke out, the embarrassed Longton players trying to make amends by pinning Malvern in their own half for the first 15 minutes.

With a slippery ball, mistakes were inevitable throughout the match, but both sides tried to give the sizeable crowd some entertainment anyway. A cross-field kick from Longton stand-off Anthony Wheat only narrowly missed being converted into a try as Rob Young gave the winger his full attention.

This put Malvern into attacking mode, and hooker Darren Handy took a strike against the head to spur the Malvern pack into action. Malvern drove Longton back on their own put-in to win a 5 metre scrum, Dave Merlin peeling off the back to feed George Blakeway, who burrowed over near the corner to open the scoring halfway through the first session.

Malvern tails were up and the pack drove through to the Longton 22 metre line, over-desperate defence resulting in flanker Wood being shown the yellow card for an early breather. Malvern made the advantage tell when Merlin again broke out, Blakeway feeding Richards who made a classic break to unselfishly pass out to Rob Young, the speed merchant scoring with clinical accuracy in the 35th minute. Longley's unfortunate love affair with the upright stymied his conversion attempt, and Longton rallied briefly to force a penalty score from fly-half Wheat just before the break.

Malvern started the second half with true grit and determination, Steve Taylor supplying both in good measure, whilst his hunting partner at flanker, Alex Thomas, preyed on any threatened breakout from the opposing back row.

With Merlin, a dead leg proving only a minor hindrance, imposing his presence and Vince Hill back to his majestic best, Malvern were in total control. Matt Williams was a fine and reliable target for Darren Handy's throw-in, whilst cornerstone props Cooper and Lancett made life difficult for the well-drilled Longton front row in the set pieces and loose.

Malvern camped out on the Longton line for an age, the Potteries side's defence repelling wave after wave of attack. Eventually they cracked, conceding a penalty which Longley slotted over. Malvern continued to press, ignoring for the most part the increasingly questionable off-the-ball tactics from the opposition.

However, some summary justice was eventually dealt out, but noticed by the referee which saw Hill and a slightly dazed Scragg enjoy 10 minutes breather. Longton rallied briefly as Malvern relaxed and full back Andrew Fyffe scored, Wheat converting with 10 minutes to go.

As the game entered the final stages inside centre Simon Phillips hopped and jinked through to link up with the forwards, who set Young off on an electrifying run, forcing a penalty which Longley eased over. In the last minute of normal time Longton attacked but fumbled and Young fly hacked and followed through in classic Scottish style to score and give Longley an easy conversion.

Director of Rugby David Robins was well pleased with the win, and said: "Despite all the pre-match traumas and machinations. We didn't see a classic today, but our pitch was the winner, holding firm to give Malvern the only senior game of rugby in the area. Our scrummage was excellent and we sniped away at a side who, psychologically did not want to play. Our back row snuffed out any real threat and we dogged it out for two valuable points. We now face a big fixture at Kenilworth next week in this closest of leagues."