Old Saltleains U13's 0pts, Malvern U13 "Pirates" 36pts.

THE day couldn't have started on a worse footing for the "Pirates" losing of Phil Shore, Ben Mason and Jack Pritchett to heavy colds and then four more squad players who "disappeared" somewhere along the M42 motorway! Nevertheless, with the help of a couple of travelling spectators, a make-shift 14-man Malvern squad put in a workman like performance scoring six tries with nil in return in this good mannered match.

The "Pirates" began with the intention of running the ball at every opportunity on the small Old Salts pitch, a policy that paid off handsomely within minutes of the Malvern kick-off with an unconverted try from centre Alan Richardson. Malvern added a second soon afterwards as their captain and Number 8, Will Bowen gathered the ball at the restart and made the "hard yards" before scrum half Rhys Coles set the crisp handling back-line on the move. Richardson looped wide from the centre to finish the move with a try beneath the posts, converted by out-half John Brierly.

By half-time Malvern were looking comfortable, 24-0 in front with their back-row and centres in total control of the mid-field. Malvern's man-of-the-match Alex McToal, relished the open-side flankers role by hunting down the Old Salts half-backs with carefree abound, while Bowen with ball in hand, ripped through the frail Old Salts defence to collect a brace of tries, one of which was converted by John Brierly.

After the re-start, Old Salts rallied for a ten minute period and pounded the Malvern line searching for a break-through, but to no avail as the Malvern defence held firm. When the Malvern breakout came, it was full-back Richard Mason who made ground before he was stopped inside the Old Salts ten-metre line. The ball was recycled and then it was the turn of the Malvern front row, Tom King, Dan Davies and Tom Marriott to drive forward, before John Brierly ghosted through the confused Old Salts defence for the try between the posts and the conversion points. Will Bowen added the final score of the day to complete a hat trick of tries from a well-executed No.8 pick-up and bullocking run up a very narrow blind-side.

Much credit must go to the Old Salts team who refused to let their heads drop and if it was not for the stubborn Malvern defence, they too could have claimed a try or two mid-way through the match. Nevertheless it was a good all-round performance from under-strength Malvern side, the ideal preparation for a much stiffer fixture over at Hereford this Sunday.