MALVERN Rugby Club's under 12s starred with victory at the Worcester festival.

Some of the squad of 14 played in their first tournament as Malvern topped their group by beating Matson 1-0, Old Halesonians 4-0, Kings Norton 3-0 and Worcester 3-0.

They beat Barton-under-Needwood 2-1 in the semis and pre-tournament favourites Matson 4-0 in the final with eight-try full-back Luke Lancaster leading the team.

Forwards Jamie Palmer-Jeffrey and Will Richardson were tireless, half-backs George Garner and Oli Hutton controlled every match and centres Ed Reed- Daunter and Sam Clements shone in attack and defence.

Meanwhile, a depleted Malvern first XV crashed 62-3 at third-placed Newbold-on-Avon in Midlands One West.

The relegated Spring Lane side faced a much heavier pack and only had one man on the bench.

The hosts' big forwards also proved to be good ball carriers and however gamely Malvern tackled it was not enough to halt the onslaught.

Newbold quickly went into a two-try lead before a Rob Cook penalty got the visitors on the scoreboard.

With late call-offs disrupting selection, two back rows filled in at centre and wing as Richard Hobbs and Josh Herbert proved their loyalty to a tough cause.

With Jon Wills also out of position at scrum-half Malvern had a makeshift look in places but played with spirit.

They were unlucky not to get a couple of tries as final passes went astray and Newbold seemed to have the rub of the green.

Malvern's scrum held up well most of the time but tired and Newbold kept up the pressure on second-placed Dudley Kingswinford with a comprehensive win.

But Malvern president David Robins told the players he was proud of their commitment.

The second-from-bottom side play their final game of the season on Saturday at home to Old Halesonians (3pm).

The first XV will regroup for next season, bringing in some of the successful colts side who ended their league campaign with a 57-29 victory at Shrewsbury.

Top try-scorer Lewis Hardiman bagged a hat-trick alongside scores for Albie Guilding, Harvey Smedley, Harvey Patel, captain Tom Bill, Arran Carr and a penalty try for Malvern.