Five-pointer for Malvern (From Worcester News)

Five-pointer for Malvern

4:53pm Monday 15th March 2010 in

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A VISIT to basement club Bedford Athletic at Putnoe Fields yielded the expected bonus point win as a Malvern side still beset with injury problems claimed a 37-16 National Three Midlands success.

Having conceded a penalty to let the home side lead in the third minute, Malvern put together a fine set of forward drives, going through four phases before scrum-half James Southall took the ball from the back of the ruck to score and give Will Farris a simple conversion.

Four minutes later, Bedford responded by running the ball back at Malvern and won another penalty for going over the top of a ruck to peg the lead back to one point.

Malvern’s pack had the beating of their opposite numbers and dominated totally at the scrum and in the loose, driving on to set up good ball for the backs.

Fly-half Adam Dixon made a telling break, Farris collected and jinked through to score then convert on the 15-minute mark.

With the pack in full flow, the visitors camped out on the Bedford five-metre line, opting for scrums as penalties were awarded and twice in six minutes Simon Daws picked up and went over to secure the bonus point well before half-time.

The second-half saw Malvern playing upfield and into a strong wind, so the instructions from coach Andy Longley were to not kick possession away.

Liam Rolleston had a good run up the wing to set up another period of Malvern dominance, but Bedford won a penalty when the away side failed to release the ball and ran downfield to score.

Skipper Phil Rawle then left the field with a broken nose, resulting in a reshuffle of the pack, but this scarcely seemed to trouble the Malvern forwards, such was their dominance.

Farris put over a penalty, then Malvern again got into the Bedford red zone, winning a five-metre scrum which earned the Bedford flanker a sin bin rest as he was caught for not binding.

Opting for the scrum once more, Malvern moved the ball out and switched play around for Humphries to waltz in with 12 minutes left.

The Spring Lane side were not finished, though, and Daws set up Dominic Reagan to score.

A cameo by veteran prop Steve Cooper, clocking up his 23rd year of first XV appearances, saw him strip the ball away as Bedford threatened the Malvern line.

The hosts put in a spirited finish and ran in a consolation score deep into injury-time.