WITH around half of last year's squad having departed or collected injuries, the opening fixture of the Midlands West Two season saw a new look for the Malvern first XV.

MALVERN 14pts, LEAMINGTON 14pts

Some of the emerging talent from the second team were included against a side that had shown steady improvement last term. Added to this, some of the established players were in unfamiliar positions, Steve Ott at stand-off and Aidan Ruddock at number 8. John Martin, back after his injury-hit season, paired up with George Roberts in the centre, whilst Chris Williams, normally on the wing, was at full-back.

On a hot, sultry day, the teams started the season's proceedings at pace, Malvern conceding an early penalty which missed its target. For the opening 10 minutes the visitors tested the Malvern defence, which soaked up all the pressure until Malvern won a penalty to clear the lines. Martin made a break and Malvern won two penalties to put Ott within kicking distance. However, it was to be a day of poor reward for both number 10 shirts in terms of penalty count.

Matt Richardson's pack had the edge on the visiting eight all afternoon and ground upfield, showing a well-drilled discipline with an effective pick and drive game.

Halfway through the first period Martin, Ott and the pack combined to take play to the Leamington line, only to lose possession. The mobile Malvern back row of Christian Edwards, Alex Thomas and Ruddock swarmed round the Leamington midfield and gave them no space, whilst locks Chris Smith and John Drage went about their business with gusto, the former gigantic at the line-out. With hooker Alex Wenden throwing in well and props Richardson and Lancett, winning his colours for his 75th appearance, the cornerstones of the scrummage, the deadlock looked sure to be broken.

The only surprise was that it came from a near miss by Leamington, who should have scored in the corner. Ruddock took the ball from the drop-out, Ott made yards and George Roberts collected for a dazzling 50-metre sprint to score under the posts for Ott to convert on the stroke of half-time.

After 20 minutes of stalemate in the second-half, Leamington started to put together some sustained pressure, their forwards belatedly utilising the rolling maul so beloved of Warwickshire sides. This showed its effect from a penalty to touch. Employing the catch and drive, the Leamington pack went for the line, crabbing sideways towards the posts before the final shove which gave lock McMillan the score. Briston converted to even the scores, then Malvern picked up the pace again, putting in three sustained drives towards the visitors' line.

However, a turnover saw Leamington break out of defence and run at Malvern through the middle, missed tackles giving skipper Carroll a try and Briston the conversion for the lead.

With only a few minutes left, it looked as though the Malvern heroics had been in vain, but then the spirit showed through with a last-gasp attack which saw Ruddock joyfully bursting through to touch down under the posts to give Ott the equalising conversion.