MALVERN VETERANS 22PTS, WORCESTER VETERANS 17PTS

AS part of Malvern's fundraising day for Mercia Accident Rescue Service and the County Air Ambulance, the Spring Lane pitch was graced by a wide array of players, some of whom could claim to have played over four decades.

On show were members of the Malvern Pilkington Shield Winners Squad from 1994 and some of the people who were responsible for Worcester's march towards the Premiership.

Although some waistlines may have thickened and reaction times may have slowed a little, one thing was evident, and that was that old skills are never forgotten.

In the early stages Mike Bartlett showed an impressive turn of speed on the wing, whilst Nigel Richardson was tackling like a demon. Old warhorses like Paul Morewood showed they still had the zest for the game, with the hooker opening the scoring for Malvern after 15 minutes, Bartlett hitting the post with his conversion.

Worcester replied by putting Malvern under pressure and Young Veteran Tom Kennedy-Hughes sped along the wing to score and set up the conversion.

The second half saw Malvern open up and display some of the running skills that took them through the leagues, George Blakeway directing operations with Paul Jenkin in midfield, Gareth Richards setting up attack after attack until Steve Fahey joined the line to take the lead for Malvern.

Worcester retook the lead after an interception, but Malvern with Andy Ridley in superb form, turned the game round once more. A quick penalty, with the ball moved quickly along the line and there was Longley, re-creating one of his typically stylish tries.

Again Malvern attacked and Simon Smith went on the break with Dave Irish at his shoulder to take the pass and then return it for Smith to score for a Longley conversion.

Worcester replied with another fine score from on-loan Kennedy-Hughes, but the silky skills of the Malvern Veterans won the day.

Coach Paul Essenhigh said: "The skills shown out there today were testament to the rugby legacy from both clubs. I was delighted by the quality of play and astounded that so many lasted the course. We are having the water bottles checked for traces of Philosan."

The large crowd responded to the fare on offer with a great deal of generosity, buying raffle tickets and making auction bids in support of the two charities.