THE under 17s created history by becoming the first Malvern side to beat Moseley in a competitive fixture.

Malvern won 26-24 in a North Midlands League encounter featuring two of the division’s top teams with both showing their class in attack and defence.

The visitors started well and, despite resilient tackling, managed to cross the line for the first score.

Malvern were clearly up for the challenge and bounced back, finally touching down through Tom Crooks after numerous visits to their opponents’ half.

The hosts dominated the rest of the period but Moseley refused to be broken down and the score stayed at 5-5 going into half-time.

Both teams put their bodies on the line and the match opened up in the second period, drawing a healthy crowd to cheer on the Spring Lane side. However, Moseley crossed the line first in the half with their winger scoring in the corner after turning over Malvern ball. But Malvern hit back with a try of their own.

After straight and powerful running, the backs created space and sent Max Hill crashing over the whitewash with Jack Travis converting.

They started to dominate after George Cox cut a superb line to break a few tackles and go under the posts for the third try.

Jack Travis converted again to open up a nine-point gap but the game was far from over as Malvern began to lose their discipline.

Persistent infringements at the breakdown close to the try line saw Laurie Essenhigh sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes.

Malvern were punished soon after by a converted try that reduced the advantage to only two points.

But, even with their captain off the field, Malvern fought back fiercely and, once more, Cox had the strength to outmuscle fierce defence and score the crucial try. A further conversion from Travis sealed the game and ensured Malvern stayed unbeaten at home.

Moseley finished with a converted try but the damage was already done.