Malvern RFC

On a bright crispy afternoon, Malvern hosted league leaders Ludlow RFC whose record was 9 wins and 1 loss and who were undefeated on the road. Malvern were undefeated at home and had won the last 7 in a row, Clearly something had to go.

Malvern started the game with 10 of the starting 15 and 12 of the 18 players, products of our youth system, The game promised to be a real battle.

Malvern started with real determination. Getting into the Ludlow 22 and being rewarded with a penalty that Dan Batty slotted.

This was the start of some real pressure on the Ludlow line. Malvern won a series of penalty’s and time and again recycled. Batty slotted a beautiful kick through that Lewis Hardiman jumped and snatched from his opposite number to score. Ludlow reacted with some real pace and power in their game. The pressure eventually told. Malvern scrum-half Joe Budd was penalised for a deliberate knock on.

Ludlow took full advantage. Scoring 14 unanswered points with two converted tries. Both coming from recycling ball and then stretching the depleted Malvern defence out wide.

Half Time Malvern 8 v Ludlow 14.

The game was now really in the balance. Malvern struck first, a line out on the Ludlow 5 metre line saw a very powerful drive with Potter touching down. Batty converted.

Malvern were showing great belief. Batty pounced next with an opportunist try. Kicking a bouncing ball on the Ludlow 22 through, out pacing the defence to score and convert.

Next up Malvern won a penalty 25 metres out which Batty slotted.

Batty penalty 25-14

Ludlow still had lots to say, pushing hard to get some parity on the score board. Again and again they created field position. Again and again Malvern harrassed, harried, hustled and hit the Ludlow attack. This made Ludlow force the game and make uncharacteristic mistakes.

Malvern continued to try to attack. Full back Jasper Windsor-Clive burst through from half way, putting a perfect chip and chase through, out pacing the defence to score a fantastic try.

Ludlow with the clock running out scored a converted try.

Final Score Malvern 30 v Ludlow 21

A bonus point win, whilst ensuring Ludlow took no points from the game. It was undoubtedly by some way the most complete performance by a Malvern side in many years. Brutal in defence, precise in attack and an absolute trust in each other and the game plan.

A big shout out for the referee. On point, up with play, consistent and not the centre of attention!

Club Chairman John Holden said “This was a performance that has been 10 years in the making! The club realised that after falling out of national rugby we needed to regroup and focus on locally produced talent.” He continued “since then we have built through successive youth committes on the legacy over many years of the likes of Gary Tolley and the late Ian Budd who knew the future of the club lay in creating a vibrant youth and colts system. I was so proud to see a big crowd getting behind both teams and a buzzing club house in the finest tradition of grass roots rugby”. “A big thanks to Ludlow and their supporters who were passionate during the game and gracious in defeat.”

#OneVern