Malvern II impressive

MALVERN'S seconds maintained their current impressive run of form with a convincing win over Burton's seconds at Spring Lane on Saturday.

Having beaten Bromsgrove's seconds in their previous outing by a similar margin, the Spring Lane outfit hit the ground running in confident style.

With the game just minutes old, a neat line-out move led to flanker Stuart Clarke crossing for a seven pointer. Adam Dixon adding the extras.

Despite the torrential downpour which ensued throughout the first-half, both sides handled the conditions with considerable skill, but Malvern's superior back play kept the Staffordshire outfit's defence under pressure and when wing Chris William's progress was halted on Burton's 22, Paul Stevenson was in support to take the pass, then sell two clever dummies before touching down in the corner.

The home side were also dominant at set piece plays and in the loose, and when lock Adam Green stole a Burton line-out, the resulting drive proved too strong for the visitors. Andy Burns, at the back of the maul, extended the lead to 17 points.

With the hosts' midfield pairing of Ali Hills and the impressive Matt Tighe working well, Burton's attacking options were limited, and when an attempted chip-kick was gathered on the run by full-back Will Clee. The visiting defence was split by a combination of good support play and quick hands, the ageless Steve Cooper taking the final pass to score under the post. Adam Dixon again converting.

In the second half, Malvern's powerful ball carriers offered the greater threat.

Gathering a loose ball on the half-way, Burns, playing at eight, made yet another forceful run, breaking through to outpace the defence and touch-down under the posts to give Dixon a simple conversion.

Burton set about the home side's defence with some aggressive pick and drive play, forcing deep into Malvern territory, where several assaults on the line were held up by determined and organised countering of the driving maul.

Awarded an attacking five- metre scrum, Burton had a real chance to open their account, but the wheeled scrum gave possession back to the hosts, whose own scrum held firm under pressure.

Quickly feeding the ball confidently through their backs, Malvern attacked from their own try-line, Clee's intelligent straight running created space for Tom Kennedy-Hughes to receive inside his own 22, then race to the corner for the try of the game.

Malvern seconds at home for a Pool game tomorrow (Saturday).