Malvern RFC

In recent weeks, Malvern during their 7 game winning streak have performed well, showed flair and been precise in attack and defence.

Today’s opponents had struggled with results over their last four games. However in this local derby, rarely do they perform poorly.

A dank, cold, breezy, squelchy afternoon didn’t bode well for free flowing rugby and so it was to be. Not that this made the game any less enthralling.

Malvern started well, playing with the wind against them they pinned Worcester into their own half and 22 for much of the first quarter. Worcester defended well and Malvern were unable to break them down.

Worcester had few opportunities to get going. However late in the first half their first real attack was patiently recycled a number of times and they did well to score.

Half-Time Worcester 5 v Malvern 0

The second half started completely opposite to the first. With Worcester applying pressure. Particularly through their midfield, more precise handling and less dominate Malvern defence may have seen them out of sight.

However Malvern knew chances would come. Malvern worked some good field position and fly-half Dan Batty made the most of it with a long range 40 metre penalty to cut the deficit to just two points.

Worcester responded with some good pressure and their midfield opened up the Malvern defence to score near to the posts for a converted try.

A wonderful individual try next for Malvern, Batty from the Worcester 10 metre line, scything through the first line of defence before outstripping the cover to score under the posts. He converted his own try.

With 6 minutes left on the clock Malvern won a penalty in the centre of the park on their own 10 metre line. Batty stepped up and nailed the 3 points to put Malvern into a lead that for much of the game seemed unlikely.

Worcester really pushed on again and Malvern kicked clear. Some confusion on half way gave another penalty to Malvern and again Batty stepped up and slotted another 3 points. To take his personal tally to 16 points.

Worcester again pushed on getting into the Malvern 22. Batty received the ball from scrum half Joe Budd and from five yards from his own line he figuratively put a dagger through the heart of Worcester by kicking unbelievably out for a line out 10 metres from the Worcester line.

Worcester never got out of their 22 again and the referee blew for full time.

Undoubtedly this game could have gone either way. Winning is a good habit. Not believing you are ever beaten is equally so. A spirited performance if ever there was one.

An accurate, howitzer of a boot, was what separated two evenly matched opponents that went toe to toe in a fiercely competitive but fair local derby.

We wish Worcester well for the remainder of the season.

Man of the match……. You decide!