A GREY, bitterly cold Saturday afternoon on a Birmingham Corporation pitch two days before Christmas - not calculated to inspire great feats on the rugby field, but nonetheless a game which had to be played against a Selly Oak side who proved far better than their lowly Midlands Two West league position indicates.

SELLY OAK 16pts, MALVERN 29pts

Malvern came out with all guns firing and took the early honours, Gareth Richards always threatening, and when captain Andy Longley took the ball on the burst after five minutes he set up Dave Beech, who is now challenging the top try scorer's spot in the league. Longley converted, the forwards took up the baton and drove downfield, camping out on the Selly Oak line for long periods.

In the 13th minute some superbly recycled ball finally reached Longley, who strode through majestically to score.

Ashton pulled back a penalty for the home side, then Malvern seemed to go off the boil. When Taylor was sin-binned for a piece of retribution spotted by the referee, Malvern contained the Selly Oak extra man advantage at the expense of several penalties, one of which was converted to pull back the score to 6-12.

With indiscipline letting Malvern down, Selly Oak clawed their way back into the game, although some big hits by Thomas, Cooper and Hart saved the day.

Ten minutes into the second period, Malvern hit another purple patch, piling on the pressure in the tight, sucking in the opposing defence and driving their way into the home 22 metre area.

Longley slotted a penalty, then after the restart immediately kicked for superb position. The line out was won, the forwards kept the ball alive, popping it up in the tackle, gaps were created and Longley drifted through.

Just on the hour stand-off Paul Jenkin ghosted through to score a beautiful try, Longley converted and Malvern were out of sight.

Selly Oak came back bravely, scoring two tries towards the end of the game, spoiling a good points difference result, but with Luctonians beating Hinckley, Malvern enter the second half of the campaign with a healthy cushion for the long run in.

TOMORROW (Saturday) Malvern visit Kidderminster in the North Midlands Cup, kick-off 2.15pm