MALVERN played their first match on the new first XV pitch at Spring Lane last Saturday against a spirited Derby side who refused to lay down and die after a storming opening period by the home side.

Setting out their stall according to the pre-match game plan, Malvern stormed up field, rucking and driving with the back row sucking in the opposition defence in this Midlands Two West fixture.

The ball was moved to the electric Rob Young, who made a trademark dash up field to within ten metres of the Derby line. The ball was cleared but Young gathered on his own 22 metre line, shimmied past a floundering defence and kicked ahead for left wing Ben Hughes to show his speed in following up and touching down, skipper Longley converting.

Derby replied with a Fearn penalty, but Young was again in the thick of the action in the 12th minute chipping ahead and gathering to run in unopposed. Longley again bagged the extra two points.

With the forwards playing superbly, hooker Handy in the thick of things, Man of the Match Steve Taylor back to his barnstorming best and the whole pack working as a unit, the crowd expected a rout, but lax marking allowed Derby to pull back to within four points when crucial tackles were missed, then to only one point behind when Ratcliffe dropped a goal.

Malvern continued to ruck and drive, stand off Richards chipping through to follow up and score just before half time.

Two minutes into the second period, Fearn dropped another goal and the game took on a cup tie atmosphere, the action switching furiously from end to end. Longley slotted over a penalty as Malvern's forwards continued to press, then Derek Livermore charged through to score the first try at the 'Seagull' end of the new, maximum size pitch.

Another penalty, for a high tackle on the flame-haired Hughes, saw Longley put Malvern in to a commanding 14 point lead, but still Derby were not beaten, fooling the Malvern defence with a chip ahead for a converted try. The Malvern pack continued on their mission, Cooper, Withnall and Ridley putting in big performances, while Hill and Owen took care of the line out, Taylor continued with his Neil Back impersonation to the end. The pressure told on Derby who conceded three penalties to allow Longley to stretch the lead to 16 points, Derby finishing the action with a breakaway try towards the end.

The Malvern players were reasonably happy with their performance in the pack, but disappointed to have conceded three tries. Given that injuries and non-availability have necessitated 38 players appearing in the first XV this season, the strength of the squad has been underlined, but David Robins, Director of Rugby, said "We took the two points, played well up front but must urgently address our first time tackling. We also should have used the width of the pitch more, given that speed merchants, Young, Kristoffersen, Beech and Hughes could have capitalised more, but it was the first game and the players have yet to familiarise themselves with it."