HAVING stuttered in the two opening league games, Malvern visited Ludlow's riverside HQ, where they had been previously unsuccessful in recent memory.

LUDLOW 6PTS, MALVERN RFC 19PTS

Director of rugby David Robins and his coaching staff had to tinker with selection yet again in an attempt to get the confidence booster of a desperately needed win.

Ludlow started with confidence borne of a winning start in their league, taking the game to Malvern, but the Spring Lane side soaked up the early pressure and the tight five began to put the squeeze on the Shropshire lads.

Ludlow proved adept at attacking from defence and forced a scoring penalty in the 12th minute. However, Malvern stuck to the task in hand, Chris Smith a towering influence in the line-out. After a ruck deep in home territory, Julien Davies nipped round on the short side to take the lead.

As more pressure was applied, the Ludlow forwards showed they were not too fussy about use of feet and a flanker was sin-binned just before half-time.

Despite this, Ludlow retook the lead from a penalty, which proved the spur that Malvern needed.

With Gareth Richards directing affairs in the backs, which featured a debut from ex-Chantry School and Exeter University winger Ben Lamb, Malvern looked far better organised and coped with the odd Ludlow breakout.

In the 52nd minute, Davies again took the short side option and Kiwi stand-off Henry MacLernan went over for his debut try. Steve Ott converted and Malvern had their tails up.

MacLernan went off with an injury and Ott moved to stand-off with White taking over at full-back, whilst youth development graduate Dan Kay was showing his pace on the wing.

With five minutes left, Richards showed a sprightly turn of pace to work the ball to Davies, who put Lamb in for his debut try. Ott converted.

Robins said: "With an enormous game against a revitalised Kenilworth team coming up next week, it was important for us to come away with a confidence booster.

"Although we still aren't firing on all cylinders, we gave a much more solid showing. Mark Freestone, making his league debut, fitted in seamlessly at prop, whilst the pace of Kay and Lamb on the wings showed a lot of promise. George Roberts was non-stop at flanker, whilst the midfield was much more solid. Steve Ott showed again what an accomplished all-rounder he is.

"We look forward with relish to taking on the early form-side from Kenilworth."

Kick-off at Spring Lane is 3pm.

Malvern have been drawn at home to Rugby Lions in the second round of the Intermediate Cup to be played on Saturday, October 15.