MALVERN went to Stourbridge knowing that Aston Old Edwardians would be trying to take their moment of glory with both teams making first appearances in the North Midlands Cup final.

MALVERN 47pts, ASTON OLD EDWARDIANS 8pts

With two leagues between the sides, it was only a matter of time before class showed, but the Birmingham-based side proved to be a staunch foe on the day.

Gareth Richards opened the proceedings with a drop goal in the 10th minute. With Malvern always on the attack, it took until the 20th minute before another scoring move appeared, which George Blakeway created single-handedly before showing himself to the defence and allowing Aston a get-out, Blakeway, however, atoned by putting in a storming performance for the rest of the game. He urged his forwards on to set up a platform for skipper Andy Longley's penalty score before OEs Blake Bennett put a kick over to peg it back to 6-3.

Blakeway then decided to take the game by the scruff, and his virtuoso reverse 'bullet' pass sent the Malvern backs off on a mission, ending with a try from Longley as he joined the line. The King's School teacher, in his swansong as captain, drove his side on, sensing that the opposition had little to offer.

Aston fought back all the way, repelling wave after wave of Malvern attack, but the gulf in status between the two sides was apparent as the OEs struggled in fitness and skill to keep up, However, the loose play from the Birmingham side tested Malvern occasionally, with Steve Taylor a major factor in snuffing out any counter moves. By half time, it was apparent that there was only going to be one side in it, as the Aston coach was counting his unfit wounded.

Malvern just carried on, playing their normal game, and waiting for the openings, which duly came. From a scrum in the OEs half, number 8 Paul Hart popped the ball out to Blakeway who fired the ball to winger Rob Young for a 30 metre run in.

From a scrum on their own 22 metre line, Malvern ran the ball out of defence, Longley setting Ben Hughes on a trade-mark 50 metre meander through the desperate OEs defence. He flipped the ball over to flanker Alex Thomas to score and give an 18 point cushion.

Hart made way for Dave Merlin, who almost immediately took on a tiring Aston defence after some clever play by the Malvern backs, his try being converted by Longley. After a 22 metre drop out, Steve Taylor took play forward before releasing Hughes on another deadly run-in for his second try of the day, Longley again converting.

With all the replacements now given a run out, Merlin shook off the attentions of the Aston cover to score again, giving Longley an easy kick.

To Aston OEs credit, they never gave up and winger Darren Gardner ran in for a try with a few minutes left. However, Malvern crowned their fine victory when Blakeway dummied his way through for the final score of the day.

A delighted director of rugby David Robins said: "This was our first ever appearance in the North Midlands final and a fitting way to end the season. It is a tribute to the hard work put in by the whole squad and our coaching team.

"Whilst we were expected to win, thereby qualifying for the senior Tetley Cup next season, Aston Old Edwardians made us fight every inch of the way until they tired and our superior fitness and skill levels showed. We now break for the summer and look to developing and recruiting to strengthen the squad for the next campaign."