MALVERN colts were pipped 29-27 by Old Halesonians in their first league match of the season.

The teenagers, coached by Ted Hill who scored the winning try for Worcester Warriors at Leicester Tigers on Sunday, put on an entertaining show at Spring Lane.

Captain Tom Bill led from the front by scoring the first try converted by Lewis Smedley.

Old Hales quickly levelled but Malvern took control through a robust performance from the pack anchored by powerful props Will Griffiths and Christos Athanasiadas.

Harvey Smedley scored an unconverted try and hooker Graham Pass showed a turn of foot to score again.

An injury to scrum-half Harvey Patel left Malvern with 14 men at the end of the first period which they led 17-7.

Malvern wing Ash Bajwa crossed the whitewash for another try but the wind proved challenging and it went unconverted.

The lack of Malvern replacements and game-time began to tell with Old Hales scoring three tries, converting two, to go ahead for the first time at 26-22 with 10 minutes to go.

Malvern summoned up another huge effort, putting debutant Albie Guilding into the back row with another first-time starter Will Wallace moving into the three-quarter line.

With Sam Ward and Connor Lloyd the pack contained four new caps but this was well marshalled by the old guard including line-out maestro Arran Carr.

With backs Luke Dockery and Ollie Elliot-Williams also experienced from last year, the team put Harvey Smedley over for his second try to put Malvern back ahead at 27-26.

But a lost ball in the opposition 22 when pushing for the decisive score proved costly and Old Hales broke to win a penalty which they kicked over from the final play.