Sat 11 Jan 2020
Southam 3 v Malvern 24
Firstly a mention for Alex Sayers the Southam player who in the warm up had a horrific ankle injury. I have called Southam today to wish him well and enquiry how he is, an update is awaited. This injury seemed to galvanise Southam who fronted up, not giving ground throughout the game.
Malvern appeared to struggle with the delayed kick off, the need to warm up twice and a game that was stop start throughout, this through a combination of ill discipline, poor hands and the determined Southam effort.
The game started with Malvern gaining ground, giving a penalty away, gaining ground and then giving a penalty away, this template pretty much summed up large parts of the match.
Nevertheless this was a bonus point win that showed, no matter the fact that we play a lot of high octane try littered rugby, we can and do know how to dog a result out.
When Malvern did show their class it was with rich reward. First half tries firstly for John Wills and then Tom Hale both came off the back of powerful drives and recycling that stretched Southam both sides of the pitch before their line was breached.
Southam respond with a penalty.
Half Time- Southam 3 v Malvern 10.
The second half was a similar start with ground being made and then penalties and handling causing set backs. Southam tried to get into the game and were frustrated by strong defence and their own inaccuracies at line outs.
Malvern whilst leading knew that the bonus point was needed. It came from the unlikely source of the front row union. Firstly John Clark, receiving the ball some 10 metres out and going on a bullocking straight line run, that scattered defenders to score under the posts. Batty converted.
Next up was a good try for twinkle-toes Joe Murcott, gracefully side stepping down the line and staying in touch before scoring in the corner. This one was ruled out by the referee having his attention taken by some of the forwards engaging in handbacks behind him so he missed the grounding.
With darkness falling and the bonus point seemingly lost, Murcott knowing that his previous "Lewis Hardiman impression" was never going to work twice, went next for the old style "bash it" over the line approach, this try apart from Batty's conversion was the last play of the game. The celebration of the try showed the players were acutely aware of its bonus point significance.
Full Time- Southam 3 v Malvern 24
Malvern will not come up against any more spirited team than Southam were yesterday. They may have easier days, however a good win, under difficult circumstances.
Finishing where we started best wishes to Alex Sayers for a speedy recovery from all at Malvern RFC.
Kevin Purcell
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