MALVERN Rugby Club drew their opening Midlands Two West game against Leamington on Saturday and director of rugby David Robins was delighted by the commitment shown by the side.

The Spring Lane team were losing at home by 14-7 but a last gasp effort produced a deserved draw. Number 8 Aidan Ruddock burst through the middle leaving a simple conversion for Steve Ott.

Robins said: "We knew it was going to be a tough call, but strong leadership from skipper Matt Richardson and a superb unit performance by the pack showed the way. Our youngsters didn't stop all afternoon and despite some untried combinations, came good on the day.

"It is the start of a long season and it will be a proving ground, not just for the young men who played today, but also those being prepared in our second team.

"If every game brings about such passion and commitment by the men in the Malvern jersey, then I believe we will be well on the way to building yet another successful side."

Tomorrow (Saturday), Malvern are away at Camp Hill (3pm)and next Saturday (September 17) travel to Ludlow in the opening round of the Intermediate Cup.