AFTER several weeks of enforced inactivity, Malvern's second XV got back on track with a home fixture against local rivals Tewkesbury.

MALVERN II 7pts, TEWKESBURY 6pts

A sizeable crowd, including a good number of travelling supporters, enjoyed a mild afternoon and a fiercely competitive match.

The home side, benefiting from the welcome return of captain Vince Hill in the engine room, plus George Blakeway and Gareth Richards in midfield, took the opportunity to give home debuts to Ross and Jason Tolley, both products of the club's vibrant youth section.

Tewkesbury, fielding a side close to full strength, took the initiative. Dominant in the scrum, and powerful in the loose, they made inroads into home territory, forcing errors and, subsequently, infringements, as Malvern's defence became stretched.

Two penalties awarded for handling in the ruck gave the visitors due reward for their sustained pressure, but further scoring opportunities were limited as the Spring Lane side's defence steadied under the influence of Richards.

Malvern's attacks were limited to a handful of strong runs from outside centre Grant Fraser, and half-time arrived with the score unchanged.

Inspirational words from skipper Hill at the break had the desired effect on the home side, who carried the game to their opponents throughout the second period.

Young scrum-half Ross Tolley, growing in confidence, served up quicker ball to fly-half Blakeway, who in turn created time and space for his back-line to impose themselves and when the home side forced the defence into knocking-on, the award of a scrum 15 metres out created a good attacking opportunity.

The quick heel was instantly shipped, and winger Ben Hughes, coming off his wing at pace, sliced open the defence to touch down under the posts. Fraser added the extras to give the home side the lead. The visitors responded with a series of excellent attacks, their full-back coming into the line repeatedly, his pace threatening to breach the defence each time, but a combination of determination and experience from Malvern's backs thwarted his efforts.

As the clock ran down, both sides played with style and composure, with first Malvern, through number eight Pete Sharpe, then a Tewkesbury drive threatening to settle the result, but both defences held firm to give the home side a hard fought but deserved win.