MALVERN II 30pts,

UPTON I 11pts

MALVERN'S second XV played host to Upton first in front of a sizeable crowd last Saturday, taking the spoils in a highly competitive local derby by four tries to one.

The visitors, led by skipper Ollie Smith, began strongly probing for openings in the home defence with a good mix of attacks, but a Rob Heeley penalty was their only reward for a sustained period of pressure.

Malvern's pack, which included debutante Chinese prop Xiaobin Han, began to secure a good supply of ball and when they set up a maul, Upton were unable to hold the drive. Number eight Phil Snare grounded the ball for Malvern's first score, converted by Adam Dixon.

Malvern continued to apply pressure with Snare's bullocking runs and clear angles being cut by centres Dave Beech and Ben Lamb, but all too often mis-timed passes or knocks-on let the visitors off the hook.

When the hosts eventually clicked in the backs, good quick hands coupled with direct running created the opportunity for winger Tom Kennedy-Hughes to cruise over in the corner.

Dixon for Malvern and Rob Heeley for the visitors each slotted a penalty to put the score at 15-6 at the break.

The second period began with Upton again in the ascendancy, with Smith and number five Russell Price making good ground with powerful runs and when Smith gathered five metres out, his determination carried him over to put his side back in the game.

Raising their play, Malvern struck back with a try for flanker Liam Maloney, Dixon stroking over the extras. Then having withstood a determined attack for the visitors, they closed on Upton's line with a good sequence of phases before shipping the ball wide to hooker Paul Stevenson, who sprinted clear for his first try of the season.

The spirited approach of the visitors created a number of opportunities but the home defence held firm. With scrum-half Dave Green clearing well under pressure with timely box-kicks. Malvern turned defence into attack, hands in the ruck gave Dixon the simplest of penalties to extend the lead as the clock ran down.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Malvern seconds are away at Luctonians seconds.