IT was like a 1950's B movie trailer in the Spring Lane car park - They came from Another World, as spectators filed past the sponsored cars of the professionals of Reading.

MALVERN 29pts, READING 40pts

However, when the amateurs of Malvern took the field, sizing up the big, mobile pack of their National League opponents, the gulf between the two sides didn't seem so great.

Indeed, Malvern looked the sharper in the opening exchanges, stealing the first Reading throw and then nearly breaching their defence with a move up the left. Competing ferociously around the fringes and holding their own in the tight, the Malvern forwards were only outgunned in the mauls, a strong feature of the Reading game, which they used repeatedly to cross the gain line.

However, when they finally released the ball to their backs, they found Malvern's defence impenetrable in the first quarter. Both teams used full squads of around 25 players, so players were substituted every 20 minutes to allow the coaches to assess the progress made over the summer.

Malvern, assisted for the next month by Barry Corless, formerly of Northampton, Gloucester and Moseley, had cause to be pleased, especially as new boys Duncan Short and Jim Callow impressed, whilst youngsters Dave Hill and Dan Sparrey showed increasing maturity and fine skills. After 30 minutes a period of Reading pressure saw them take the lead after a scrum close to the Malvern line.

But the Spring Lane side responded when a trimmer-looking Gaubert broke free in the Reading 22 metre area, sprinting for the line and feeding Dave Hill for the score, Longley putting Malvern ahead.

The third quarter, with Reading's big guns all on the field, saw Malvern going off the boil, and three relatively soft tries saw the Berkshiremen stretch ahead, then adding a further score at the beginning of the fourth period. The supposed difference in class should have normally dictated the script showing a total rout, but Malvern weren't about to be swept aside.

Captain Longley roused his players and the famous Malvern pride and determination saw them alarm the Reading side with the ferocity of their reply. Ferocious tackling, great support play and speedy recycling of the ball using the width of the pitch saw a period of incisive rugby, which Reading struggled to match.

Alex Thomas popped up in the outside centre position to score, Reading mauled their way upfield to score their final points, but Malvern weren't outdone. Ben Hughes and Dave Hill joined in a dazzling interpassing movement to set up Dave Irish, then Gareth Richards and Thomas did the honours for Dan Sparrey to go over, and then finish the Malvern rally a few minutes later with his second.

David Robins, Malvern Director of Rugby, was well pleased. "This was a worthwhile exercise against a very experienced side. We matched them in every department, our only weak areas being at the maul, their major focus, and whilst receiving kick-offs, where we sometimes failed to secure possession.

"Our first-time tackling was as good as I have seen and our commitment and heart was excellent. Our youngsters and new boys impressed, whilst the older heads have prepared well for a season which will see every member of the squad in regular action. With the bonus of Barry Corless's experience whilst Rudy Smith is away, we should be physically and mentally ready for a hard season.

"Our game against Hampstead, from the equivalent league in London Division, will be a real test tomorrow, preparing us for Newport at Spring Lane in the league opener on September 2."