WITHIN minutes of the start of this U13 fixture in the Rhonda valley, Malvern centre Phil Shore was side-lined with a dead-leg injury.

ABERDARE U13s 22pts, MALVERN 'PIRATES' 5pts

Despite having early territorial advantage, a series of bizarre penalty decisions forced Malvern back into their own 22 and from a Aberdare scrum, the homeside attacked along the blindside to open their account with a converted try. Malvern responded in style, with stand-off John Brierly linking well with Bowen and fellow centre, Jack Knowles. Looping wide around the centres, Brierly found space behind the Aberdare defence to score.

As the game progressed, it was clear that the resolve of the Malvern players was being sorely tested. But to their credit they responded through their tackling and rucking, led by example by flanker Ben Mason, Malvern's man-of-the-match who tacked fiercely.

Just before the break, Aberdare were awarded a try for a 12-5 lead.

In the second half, the gamesmanship continued and this time it was Malvern scrum-half Rhys Coles who was singled-out for 'special attention' before the home side recorded two more tries to end a poor match.