MALVERN U17 Pirates celebrated the end of the final season as youth rugby players with a special presentation dinner at the Fox and Hounds Inn at Lulsely.

Joining the 25-strong playing squad for a meal were special guests Matt Sherratt (Worcester Warriors) and Mark Tovey (Gloucestershire Referees Society) with club officials and parents.

David Robins, the Malvern RFC director of rugby, paid tribute to the young Malvern players' efforts during the season and formally invited them, as seniors, to form as the club's regular Colts squad in September, the first at the club for 10 years.

Presentations were made to: Chris Reed, player of the year; Andy Knott, clubman of the year; Jack Knowles, most improved player; David Morgans, best back; Ben Clewer, best forward. Mike Chandler was awarded the 'Colts Captain's Shield' and special merit awards were given to Sam Jones, Sam McCoy and David Wood for selection to the North Midlands U17 squad. Also to Tom King for his long-term service to Malvern RFC from Mini to Colts rugby.

The following day (Saturday), the Pirates took to the field for the last time as youth rugby players to take-on a Malvern President's XV in front of the club's sponsors and VIP's.

The match was a keenly contested encounter with neither side giving ground for most of the first-half. Then Phil Shore was served an excellent pass by Sam Jones and the Pirates were 5-0 up at the break.

In the second half, flanker Chris Griffiths pushed the Pirates further ahead with a deserved effort, followed soon after by winger Craig Smith, to give the Pirates a 15-0 lead.

The President's men then went on the offensive and they enjoyed a purple patch when they pushed the Pirates back to give centre Josh Pickering his chance to pull a score back.

Nevertheless, the Pirates made a final push and it was Phil Shore who sealed the game with his second try of the day to give the Pirates a 20-5 victory.

The Pirates finished the season: P24; W16; D0; L8; F714; A319 with four league games void.