TWO tries from Malvern's Craig Smith helped the Worcestershire U14s to end Shropshire's possible clean sweep in the North Midlands (Clubs) Inter-County Festival at Stourbridge.

Smith was one of nine players from the Malvern who were selected to represent Worcestershire in a series of matches against development squads from Herefordshire, the Black Country, Greater Birmingham and Shropshire.

After demolishing Herefordshire by 38-7, Worcestershire faced a tough test against a powerful Black Country side and at half-time the county trailed by 20-0. But with Malvern's Will Bowen and John Brierly in fine form, they clawed their back into the match during the second half, only to lose by 25-22 at the final whistle.

Then to Greater Birmingham and Worcestershire started brightly with Craig Smith opening the county's account early in the game. Despite a second try from Kidderminster lock-forward Jamie Samwise, Birmingham drew ahead and established a 19-12 lead with minutes to go.

Then late in the match, Will Bowen came on as a back-row replacement and had an immediate effect with a powerful break set up a score from Droitwich full-back, Adam Thomas. But the conversion in front of the posts was missed and victory was Birmingham's by 19-17.

In the final match, Worcester-shire faced an all-conquering Shropshire side. But thanks to the power of the forwards and unbending team defence the ambitions of the Shropshire side were severely blunted. However, it was the blistering pace of Malvern's Craig Smith who opened the scoring and claimed the winning try and Worcestershire were home as winners by 21-17.

The Malvern RFC representatives in the squad were Craig Smith, Will Bowen, Tom King, Alex McToal, Richard Pitt, John Brierly, Jack Knowles, David Wood and David Morgans.