MALVERN'S seconds travelled to Birmingham on a breezy afternoon on Saturday to take on Kings Norton's firsts and ran out victors after 80 minutes of absorbing rugby.

KINGS NORTON I 32pts, MALVERN II 40pts

With the wind in their favour, the home side's large experienced pack secured good possession in the set-piece and the loose, their backs then taking the Garry Owen option at every opportunity, pressurising the visitors' defence into a series of errors. Pouncing on the loose ball, Kings quickly recycled, then fed centre Ben Owen, who crashed through for a seven-pointer.

The Birmingham outfit continued to dominate possession and, when they took the pick-and-drive option, they scored a good forwards' try. Malvern's hard graft earned a penalty struck over by out-half Adam Dixon, but the hosts pressed home their weight advantage.

Pinning the visitors in their 22, they threatened a further score, but hands in the ruck gave Malvern a chance to clear their lines. However their haste in taking the penalty resulted in merely turning possession over, and Kings Norton's winger gratefully collected before crossing in the corner.

The second period saw the hosts adapt their play well. With the wind now against them, they kept the ball in hand, showing good pace in their backs and putting the visitors under pressure. Attacking Malvern's 22, a further try beckoned but the final pass was intercepted by wing Ben Hughes who raced 80 metres to give Dixon a straight-forward conversion and put Malvern back in the game.

Kings again used their effective pick-and-drive to move the ball 40 metres before prop Dave Welland crossed in the corner.

Malvern's pack again raised their game driving deep into home territory. They forced a penalty, dispatched by the impressive Dixon and when a classic Moseley move was launched from a line-out Hughes sprinted through the perfectly unlocked defence to touch down under the posts, Dixon again obliging with the extras.

With Malvern only two points adrift, the home side played to their strengths and scored twice in quick succession to extend their lead to 12 points but in scoring, the over zealous footwork served only to galvanise the Malvern side hit back with renewed determination.

Forcing the home side back, they created space to allow the ball to be spun out to young wing Tom Kennedy-Hughes whose pace carried him through to score in the corner, Dixon putting the conversion over from the touch-line, then slotting two penalties in as many minutes to give Malvern the lead.

Under pressure in their half, Kings clearing kick fell to Kennedy-Hughes, who carried back in style weaving through the defence from 60 metres to touch down under the posts, giving Dixon the easy conversion to seal a deserved win.