MALVERN Rugby Club are continuing to thrive after entering a team in next season’s North Midlands Colts League.

The Spring Lane outfit have decided to expand after a successful campaign for the under 17s and 16s with a number of under 19s players figuring in various men’s teams at the club.

Malvern’s first XV ended a run of two consecutive relegations with fourth place in Midlands Two West (South) last season.

A Malvern spokesman said: “It has long been an ambition of the club to find a way of developing home-grown talent into the senior sides.

“This gives a number of the youth players another year to develop themselves as players with occasional senior rugby while enjoying age-group rugby.

“It is particularly useful for front-five forwards who can remain in their favoured position in colts rugby rather than being forced to play out of position at senior level.

“There are a number of very successful local models of how colts rugby creates a conveyor belt of talent into the first team and the success of other local clubs, such as Hereford and Bromsgrove, show the value of a vibrant colts team.”

Pre-season training will begin with the senior teams in mid-July.

The spokesman added: “We look forward to another great season of rugby and welcome any new players to the club and the return of any under 19s who have stopped playing during their A-level studies.”

Meanwhile, Malvern’s annual meeting saw reports given by outgoing chairman Alan Evans and treasurer John Taverner.

Evans stood down after two-and-a-half years as chairman with John Holden accepted as his successor, while all other executive members continued in their posts.

Malvern have welcomed Forest Traffic Services as the club’s new sponsor.

Meanwhile, Upton hold their annual meeting on Tuesday, June 16, at 7.30pm at the Old Street clubhouse.