MALVERN II XV 28 PTS, HEREFORD II XV 0

MALVERN'S seconds opened their North Midlands Reserves League campaign on Saturday with an impressive victory over local rivals Hereford's second XV.

On a day when the energy sapping heat tested the fitness and resolve of both sides, Malvern's superior conditioning, plus the ability to play technically sound rugby at pace, proved the difference in this, their first ever competitive league match.

Faced for the third consecutive week by a heavier pack, the host's forwards came under pressure in the scrum, but the Spring Lane outfit more than held their own in all other departments, especially in the back division, where the snappy service provided by number nine, Julian Lambert, gave out half Adam Dixon all the time he needed to pull the midfield strings to perfection.

Making an incisive break, Dixon drew the defence before feeding winger Will Clee to score under the posts for a seven pointer, converted by Dixon.

Then clever use of the blind-side by Lambert set Clee free, but when his progress was halted, flanker Stuart Clark was in support to take the pass and score in the corner.

Struggling to get a foothold in the game, Hereford's choice of the high ball as an attacking option worked against them as first full back Chris Williams, then winger Cliff Perkins gathered safely, then ran the ball back with interest. Turning defence into attack, Perkins gave centre Stuart Smith the chance to brush aside the last man with a text-book hand-off before racing to the corner to score.

With the ball carrying power of Phil Rawle supported by Clark and his brother Nick in the back row, and Dixon's probing kicking to the corners pinning the visitors back, Malvern's forward momentum continued, and when Stuart Clark was again on hand to finish a good passage of attacking play, the hosts took a comfortable 22-0 lead into the break.

The second period began with more Malvern pressure, but solid defence from Hereford prevented first hooker Liam Moloney, then Clee from scoring, then strong rugby from the visitors saw them move smartly up-field with their big pack forcing the hosts to defend their line against a series of drives.

Despite crossing the line Hereford were adjudged held up, and from the resulting scrum the award of a free-kick allowed the Spring Lane side to kick to safety.

Malvern's quick ball from a ruck gave Dixon space 35 yards out and the talented youngster, seeing the defence were up, struck over a sweetly executed drop goal to extend the lead to 25 points and as the game drew to its conclusion.

The award of a penalty saw Dixon coolly slot the 30-yarder to complete his full house' of kicked scores.