Malvern 7-10 Longton.

IN-FORM Longton, boosted by the return of several players from higher leagues, came to Spring Lane for what turned out to be a titanic struggle between two evenly-matched sides.

Early warning signs were posted by the Potteries side when they took the first scrum against the head and their feisty scrum-half Robson made some inroads with quick breaks.

Malvern’s defence was tested several times in the opening exchanges, but the home team settled into the game.

Fleming broke from full-back to send Beechey off on a defence-stretching run, the winger just caught a few metres from the line.

Malvern then put in three good and controlled phases of attacking play, Jay Martin breaking off the back of the ruck to power through and score, Adam Dixon adding the conversion in the 16th minute.

Both sides had promising attacks stifled by strong defences as the game developed.

On the half-hour mark George Roberts, looking in good form after missing most of last season, was again hit by the injury jinx, as he put in a strong run up the wing he suffered ankle ligament damage when tackled and was stretchered off.

Malvern ended the first-half looking the stronger of the two sides, although once again the line-out had proved to be an area needing attention.

The second-half saw Malvern again coming out strongly and there were signs that Longton were starting to lose a little of their discipline.

Martin, Fleming and Beechey were again all involved in promising attacks.

But Martin, the highly influential number eight, had to leave the field with a rib injury after 15 minutes, James Thomas coming on to prop and Matt Humphries moving to the back row.

Longton then started to slowly come back into the game and for the rest of the match dominated the play.

A missed penalty was followed with another on 58 minutes which stand-off Buck put over to claw back three points. Three penalties in succession went to the visitors, as Beechey was penalised for not releasing the ball.

From that particular penalty Longton went upfield, put pressure on the Malvern defence and winger Hallam went over for a try, Buck converting with five minutes left.

Despite a determined last effort from Malvern, Longton hung on to take the points.