THE U16s' season continued its recent improvement with a skilful and committed display against resilient opposition last Sunday.

MALVERN U16S 34pts, STRATFORD U16S 15 pts

Playing up the slope in the first half Malvern managed to secure a 12-5 lead at half time and an early try in the second half opened up a good gap.

In a hard-fought game of changing fortunes Malvern managed to keep the upper hand to run out winners 34-15.

Malvern try scorers were Ross Tolley, Matt Tighe, Adam Green, Steven Bowen, Tom Kennedy Hughes and Jasper Johns.

YARDLEY U15/16S 36pts, MALVERN U15 PIRATES 7pts

THE Malvern U15 Pirates were never allowed to enjoy the cruise that they booked in terms of their recent performances, but without ten of their key players and against a team weighed heavily with U16 players, the odds were stacked against Pirates from the start.

However, despite the lack of heavyweights in the pack, their dominant back-row trio and any replacements on the bench, Malvern did well to contain the onslaught from a respectable Yardley side for a good part of the game.

Both teams seemed to lack imagination and were content to play one-dimensional rugby throughout. Yardley opted for the direct approach with no frills; straight up the middle, playing forward-dominated rugby. Until the relatively inexperienced Malvern pack got to grips with the Yardley tactics, the home side were 26 points in front; all the tries from their forwards.

Although at one time Malvern looked dead and buried they eventually bottled Yardley in their own 22 and space was found out wide for John Brierly to ghost over for a try and the extra two points.

Tom Longley was elected the Malvern man-of-the-match.