Hat-tricks were all the rage at Spring Lane last Sunday as the HSBC Malvern U16 'Stags' overcame a determined Dudley Kingswinford side, intent on over-turning the two defeats of the 'Stags' had inflicted upon them earlier in the season.

HSBC MALVERN U16 'Stags' 27pts, DUDLEY KINGSWINFORD U16 7pts

However, the Swindon Road side were completely devastated by the sheer pace and skill of J P McCumisky who scored a hat-trick of tries.

From the off, the Malvern forwards took the upper-hand and successive rucks forced DKS on to the back foot in their 22 before the ball was swung wide and McCumisky ran in his first try in the left corner leaving his marker for dust. The conversion was missed but after the restart the Malvern rumbled forward once again and only desperate defending from DKS prevented Malvern from adding a quick score. Nevertheless this was only a stop-gap measure until the Malvern backs spun the ball wide into the eager hands of McCumisky to score his second try which was converted by Martin Tilley.

A third Malvern try was added close to half-time from prop-forward Alun Lewis after a sustained period of play .

The conversion by fellow prop-forward Wayne Downes rebounded off the upright, but the score stood at 17-0 to Malvern.

The Malvern coach made a couple of changes during the break and with the new line-up still shaping up, Dudley made the most of the chances and scored a converted try. But it was a short-term respite as Malvern's rucking was sharp and in spite of the conditions the handling was crisp before J P McCumisky was set loose again to score his third after full-back Nick Dennis joined the line creating a massive overlap against which DKS had no answer.

The win was sealed in-style by the Malvern pack after scrum-half and captain, John Tovey stole the ball in the loose before he set his forwards on their way just outside the DK's 22. Short-running, quick passing and slick rucking gave Wayne Downes the chance to charge for the line before a last ditched tackle cut him down with metres to go. However with the predatory flanker Ollie Hambrey in close support, the move was finished with a deserved try that Wayne Downes failed to convert by hitting the woodwork for a second time. The final result was 27-7 to Malvern.

Despite losing their chance to appear in next Sunday's North Midlands Cup final after crashing to a 38-0 defeat at Worcester, the 'Stags' good form has continued throughout the season with the team only losing three of the twenty-two games played. Many of the players have achieved representative honours at county level and although one or two players will be leaving before next season, the 'Stags' will continue as the flag-ship of the Malvern Youth Section for one more season.