MALVERN 6pts, LUCTONIANS 5pts

A DROP goal by Andy Longley 10 minutes from time saw Malvern secure promotion in front of the largest crowd of the season at Spring Lane.

It was always going to be close between a Malvern squad racked with injury problems and a young Luctonians side who have steadily improved through the season.

From the off the North Herefordshire side, buoyed by their vocal supporters, took the game to Malvern.

The Malvern back row and midfield withstood wave after wave of Luctonians attacks, conceding several penalties, which let the visitors deep into home territory.

Fortunately for Malvern they tried to run everything instead of opting for the kick at goal, and sterling work by Steve Taylor and Mark Moaby, plus the sure boot of skipper Longley, kept the marauding Luctonians at bay.

Luctonians immense second row dominated the line out throughout the game, so Malvern had to fight for every scrap of possession.

The Malvern defence held firm until 12 minutes before the break, when Lucs stretched the home defence and centre Sedgwick went on the loop to score in the corner.

Then Vince Hill was sin-binned and this proved a turning point of the game. Malvern's determination came to the fore, the players dug in and repelled all Lucs could throw at them until Hill rejoined the game.

After the break, it was all change. Coach Rudy Smith instilled the players with confidence, sensing that Luctonians had thrown everything they could at the leaders and had little left in their armoury. Now it was Malvern's turn.

Andy Longley slotted over a penalty to make the score 5-3.

With Malvern piling on the pressure, it was Luctonians turn to defend desperately. Penalties were conceded and Longley's boot took Malvern deep into the Seagull End. As Malvern's predatory attackers forced Lucs into errors, Longley had two penalty chances which were just wide.

Malvern pressed forward relentlessly and won another penalty. Never has such a hush descended, faces etched with nervous tension both on and off the field. Longley stuck the ball sweetly, it looked to be over but the premature cheers turned to gasps of disappointment as the ball rebounded off the post.

However, Steve Taylor, following up sharply, won the the ball. It was popped back to Longley, who made no mistake with a drop kick to put Malvern ahead by a single point.

In the final ten minutes Luctonians made an all out attack but the Malvern defence held sound. The final whistle sounded and scenes of jubilation erupted all round the ground, grown men shedding tears of relief and joy.

An emotional David Robins, Director of Rugby, thought the team's performance "the stuff that dreams are made of".

"To clinch the title and promotion on our brand new pitch, in front of our magnificent new clubhouse, is a fitting climax to our season. And to think that we have nine regulars missing from the squad through injury and non-availability.

"It says something about the Malvern spirit and ability, nurtured and fired by our coaches Rudy Smith and Paul Essenhigh that the lads defended like demons and came up with the goods on the day.

"The champagne moment has to be Andy Longley's drop goal, a fitting tribute to a man who has led by example all year, and we look forward to new and great adventures in Midlands One, where we hope that the tremendous support we received today will carry on," he said

Chairman David Beech echoed this. "This has been the culmination of a five year plan, taking us from North Midlands One to Midlands One, acquiring magnificent facilities along the way. It is a fitting tribute, not only to the players, but to the dedication shown by the unsung heroes - the members who have volunteered so much of their time to making our dreams a reality," he said.

First team manager Peter Woods praised Luctonians.

"The best side we have played all year - we hope that they clinch the play off spot to join us next year," he said.