A MUCH-changed Malvern U17 Pirates squad played host to Earlsdon, who are based next door to the University of Warwick, on Sunday.

MALVERN U17S PIRATES 27pts, EARLSDON 12PTS

The last time the two teams locked horns, the Pirates came away with a convincing win. But on this occasion Earlsdon held their shape until Malvern upped the pace in the second-half of the match.

With their county players away on duty and experienced players confined to the bench, the Pirates, skippered by Joel Redman, made their trade-mark start, tempting Earlsdon to establish a foothold in the Malvern half before forcing a turn-over and counter-attacking with pace.

Nevertheless, Earlsdon were equally crafted at turning the ball themselves and so began a period of tit-for-tat forays with neither side gaining much advantage.

Eventually, Earlsdon were duped into defending the mid-field and with their flanks cruelly exposed, 16-year-old winger Caine Burge broke away for his debut try.

Earlsdon were soon on level terms when Malvern were penalised for off-side and the visitors found touch, five metres from the Malvern try-line. The outcome was predictable; a line-out, a catch and an eight-man drive to the line, topped with a try for the Earlsdon hooker. But the conversion was missed and the scores remained tied at 5-5.

Sixteen-year-old Oli Rayner, relishing his role at fly-half, extended the Pirates lead with a well-struck penalty from 35 metres out. The youngster then set in motion a phase of play that resulted in the Pirates try-of-the-season. A sweeping move started by Rayner's half-break from the Malvern 22 was taken forward by several players before moving through the quick hands of the Malvern backs. David Morgans ended the move with a sweeping run behind the posts for the try. Rayner added the bonus points and Malvern were 15-5 in front at half-time.

The changes made allowed Malvern to step-up a gear and Craig Smith's arrival in the centres gave Malvern's pace-men the edge. Rayner's well-weighted kick behind the defence was chased by Smith and Burge and an inter-changing passes put Smith away to secure Malvern's third try.

Earlsdon responded well and forced a penalty close to the Malvern line to finally pull back a deserved seven- pointer.

Malvern finally sealed the game after a storming 70 metre run from Chris Reed was stopped by a last-ditch tackle. Williams and Griffiths secured the ruck and man-of-the-match Jack Knowles found Shore running from deep and at speed to crash through the rallying Earlsdon defence for the final try.