MALVERN Seconds played host to visitors Pershore seconds last Saturday on an afternoon when the conditions favoured the running game.

MALVERN II 55pts, PERSHORE II 12pts

The home side's classy backs took full advantage, scoring nine tries to secure their fifth win of the season.

The Spring Lane side's re-jigged pack took time to settle, struggling to contain the visitor's scrum and driving mauls, but with the powerful Pete Sharpe at eight and the hugely industrious Stuart Smith in the second row, they began to secure decent possession, allowing half-backs Dave Green and Adam Dixon to open the game up.

Receiving a short pass from Dixon, Grant Fraser carried strongly before shipping the ball to Ben Ash, who crossed for a seven pointer, converted by Dixon. Then a long miss-pass from Dixon was taken on by centre Ryan Milne. Wing Ben Hughes supported well to receive Milne's next pass, then sprinted through to score in the corner.

Malvern's backs continued to dominate in open play, and when full-back Chris Williams joined the line, Hughes again was on hand to finish well, Dixon adding the extras.

Pershore's pack continued to compete, rumbling into Malvern's half and setting up quick ball for their centres, but Milne and fellow centre Dave Beech disrupted the attack, secured the turnover, then switched play quickly to give debutante wing Tom Kennedy-Hughes, playing his first senior game, his first scoring opportunity. Timing his run well, he took the pass and skated through to score on the stroke of half-time.

The second period began with the visitors in control, driving deep into Malvern's 22, they moved the ball quickly before breaking the defensive line in the centre to score under the posts for a seven-pointer, then closing the deficit to 12 points with another well-worked effort.

The hosts' response was immediate and decisive, as first Williams cruised through to score under the posts, giving Dixon a simple conversion, then Smith scored a fine try ,again converted by the outstanding Dixon.

Fraser, whose powerful ball carrying had created problems for the visitors throughout the match, finally got his reward, breaking the tackle to score out wide, then turning provider, he drew the defence, before passing out of the tackle to Williams, who outflanked the defence for his second. Dixon slotted his fifth conversion of the game.

From the restart, Smith took the high ball under pressure, fed Dixon, who again used the miss-pass to release Milne. He straightened the line and created space out wide, then fed Kennedy-Hughes, who showed his quality. He raced clear from his own ten metre line to outstrip the defence and score his second of the match, capping an excellent debut.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Malvern seconds are away at Kings Norton.