HAVING been denied a game the previous Saturday by the late withdrawal of would be visitors Stafford, Malvern's second XV, strengthened to A status by the inclusion of four first team regulars, looked forward to playing host to Gloucester Old Boys.

MALVERN A XV 11pts, STOURBRIDGE II 11pts

However, another late cancellation forced the Spring Lane side to trawl the pool for a fixture, where the only game in town was a potentially difficult match with Stourbridge Seconds.

With the Black Country side's first team riding high in second place in National Division Two, their seconds, fielding five of their first side looked likely to be too stern a test, but Malvern rose to the challenge in style at Spring Lane last Saturday.

From the off Malvern's pack had the edge with skipper Vince Hill and John Drage winning their own lineout ball and disrupting the opposition's, determined rucking and mauling putting the visitors on the back foot, and the back row of Andy Ridley, Stuart Clark and man-of-the-match Alex Thomas locking down the Stourbridge midfield.

Having established a good measure of control, the home side launched a series of attacks, scrum half Davis and Longley, playing at fly half, linked well to provide centres Andy Burns and George Roberts with opportunities to break the line, but good defence from the visitors stemmed the tide.

Good scrummaging, a feature of Malvern's play this season, ensured a steady supply of ball. Andy Logan returning after a lengthy lay off with a broken wrist, hooked superbly, taking four against the head in the first half alone.

Winning the ball on Stourbridge's put in on the 22, Malvern quickly worked the blindside, Longley drew the defence, then grub kicked perfectly for winger Will Clee to open the scoring.

Stung into action, Stourbridge stepped up the pace, and although still outclassed in the scrum, created chances in attack. But the home side's midfield stood firm, both centres being back row refugees, whose tackling and rucking stifled the opposition's attempts to move the ball wide.

Awarded a penalty for handling in the ruck, Stourbridge closed the gap with centre Phil Watters calmly taking the three points on the stroke of half time.

From the restart the visitors set about redressing the balance up front. Their scrum steadied, more dynamic rucking enabled their backs to make better use of the ball and they made inroads into Malvern territory.

At every opportunity they set winger James O'Brien free. The first teamer showed electric pace to skate past tackles, first being unlucky to step into touch when seeming certain to score, then being adjudges not to have touched down having chased an excellent grub kick.

The home side responded by reasserting control in the forwards and allowing the imperious Longley to pin the visitors back with an excellent kicking display.

Frustrated the Black Country boys infringed. Longley slotted the penalty to stretch the lead to eight points to three, but within minutes Malvern's midfield, caught offside, allowed Stourbridge back to within two points.

Scenting victory, the visitors threw themselves into the fray, and finally set O'Brien free out wide to race in to put Stourbridge ahead with ten minutes to go.

Showing typical character, the home side tore into the opposition, first Jon Pritchard, then replacement Mark Gaubert making good ground and forcing the penalty. Longley stroked over from 20 metres to level the scores as the final whistle approached.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Malvern Seconds are at home to Old Laurentians Seconds. Kick-off 2.30pm.