MALVERN'S last home game of the season coincided with Sponsor's Day at Spring Lane.

The Midlands Two West champions took the opportunity to showcase some of their younger talent against a Stourbridge invitation side, which as always was full of running.

MALVERN 52pts, STOURBRIDGE 19pts

The game was also notable for the appearance of four youngsters in the side whose fathers had all played for Malvern 1st XV in the past - and there were four proud Dads as each of their heirs scored!

A firm pitch on a calm day gave ideal conditions for an open game, and so it proved, both sides full of inventive running from the off. After ten minutes of sparring, Malvern pressurised the Stourbridge line, Dave Hill stifling an attempted clearance, and Dan Sparrey pounced to open the Malvern account.

Soon after, the 'Boyzone' of Hill, Ben Ash and Richard Fleming combined in a lovely move, which Hill finished off, Mark Moaby converting.

Steve Taylor then ensured that the 'Golden Oldies' section of the team got a look in, driving over after a major disruption to the Stourbridge scrummage. The youngsters then took over again, Ash breaking with Fleming in support and Malvern winning a penalty which Moaby put over.

The restart kick was fumbled by Malvern and Stourbridge capitalised to score under the posts to make the half time score 20-7.

The visitors opened the second period with a soft try, but Malvern riposted when Kristoffersen, away for the rest of the season on international duty, went on a jinking run to set up Ben Ash for a try. He managed to dislocate his thumb whilst scoring and then left the field to attend a wedding reception!

With the Malvern roadshow gathering momentum, vintage rugby was being played and the ball was moved out to Dave Beech for a 'Premier Cru' score. From the restart, captain for the day Gareth Richards added a Phantom Hamstring move to his repertoire, feigning injury then recovering miraculously to bamboozle the approaching tackler.

Dan Sparrey then ran 75 metres to score a fine try, then a supremely confident Richard Fleming joined the line to score and convert. Stourbridge replied with a well worked try, but Malvern were straight back on the attack, Richards chipping over two colliding defenders and put Sparrey in for his hat trick and the need for a 'sub' from proud father Tony!

Precocious youth ended proceedings with second row tyro Matt Williams skinning the Stourbridge winger - much to his embarrassment - and putting Chris Williams, another Youth Development product, in for the final score.

David Robins, Director of Rugby, was impressed with the showing of the Malvern youngsters, but also highlighted the older heads in the pack who had totally outplayed Stourbridge in the set pieces: "The pack set up the platform for the young guns to open up the defence. Dan Sparrey has blossomed since replacing George Blakeway, who will have to look to his laurels when back from his travels. Dave Hill was immense, Fleming a revelation and real prospect for the future, whilst Chris and Matt Williams both continue to develop. Steve Taylor and Andy Ridley showed all their maturity in the back row whilst the front five tied the opposition in knots.

"We now go to Newport tomorrow (Saturday) for our final league fixture and the chance to set up a record number of wins for the season, so welcome as many supporters as possible to join the team as they bow out in champion style."