Pershore Mixed Touch Series 2023
Photos by Marc Gaubert
After the culmination of three weeks’ hard work, playing and winning six out of seven league games against teams from as far apart as Stratford and Birmingham, it now came down to the finals week - the real deal, the final quarter, the time that counts. Malvern Stags had utilised over 20 players across the three weeks of league matches providing much needed experience for a number of players new to ETA touch. Experience in the bank which will prove to be essential over the forthcoming summer tournaments.
So to finals week, and the final two games for Malvern Stags at the touch coliseum known as Piddle Park. Malvern were drawn to play Ross and Pershore for the title. Quietly, behind cupped hands, people were saying that the first game, Malvern v Ross was the decider. Ross, unbeaten through the league system, masters of the touch dark arts, were the team to beat. Joe Purcell was like a wild maned lion, atop a rock, focused on his prey. Time for redemption. Time to right the wrong of the Ross defeat in the league two weeks previously.
The game kicked off. Malvern started well, good drives from Emma D Fosh and Joe Purcell shaped the early encounter. 1-0 Ross then 1-1, Jack Wakefield scoring in the corner after a deft pass from Dan Sparrey which could only be described as reminiscent of Salt Bae passing a rugby ball. 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, 3-3. Brilliant link play from Dan Clarke and the Flewers brothers, and outstanding wing play from Corey McNally and James Woods kept Malvern in the game. Then 4-3…4-4!!! Two great teams couldn’t be separated. Touch at its finest with fantastic scores from both teams. A game containing some wow-factor touch scores out wide and up the middle, brilliant passing and inventive play fused with tight, controlled defending. Dave White epitomising the hard work and effort needed in defence. White putting in so many touches he was compared to an octopus riding the teacups at Alton towers.
Two minutes left on the clock. Who would break? Who would step up to win the contest and possibly the title? Malvern took possession in Ross’s half, Dan Sparrey received the ball at first receiver, the Ross defender bit in, Sparrey dummied then gave the ball to Dan Clarke who clinically finished a 2 on 1, smoothly passing the ball to Jack Wakefield to score in the corner. 5-4. Game over. Time for Ross to get back on the fun bus. The battle of the M50 was won. The Stags had one game left for overall glory.
Game 2 was Malvern v Pershore. Malvern started with great focus, Purcell, Fosh, White and Gorgeous George Cox dominating the middle and link positions. Fosh bounding like a wild panther. Malvern took an early 2-0 lead, Pershore couldn’t contend with the speed, angles or sheer dynamic touch movement from Malvern. Half time and Malvern led 3-1. One half of finals touch action left.
Malvern came out in the second half with the same energy as the first. Scores from Isaac Flewers, James Woods, Jack Wakefield piled more pressure onto Pershore who simply had no answers. 4-2, 5-2, 6-2 and finally 7-2. The game was won. Dave Beech using all his touch experience to manage the game out and ensure no Pershore comeback would materialise. Ben Flewers’ energy throughout both games epitomised what this team is about.
So, Malvern won the Touch Series. A great tournament held over four weeks at Pershore RFC bringing eight regional touch teams together. Lots of new players had gained valuable experience of competitive touch and Malvern had been victorious.
Captain Dan Sparrey said, “Malvern Stags achieved its primary objectives during this series of blooding lots of new players in a competitive touch arena, developing our touch game offensively and defensively, and of course adding another trophy to Malvern’s cabinet. We look forward to the next series and developing the Touch teams even further. Thank you to Director of Rugby, Mark Gaubert, for his support of the team on the night”.
#OneVern🦌
Photos by Marc Gaubert
After the culmination of three weeks’ hard work, playing and winning six out of seven league games against teams from as far apart as Stratford and Birmingham, it now came down to the finals week - the real deal, the final quarter, the time that counts. Malvern Stags had utilised over 20 players across the three weeks of league matches providing much needed experience for a number of players new to ETA touch. Experience in the bank which will prove to be essential over the forthcoming summer tournaments.
So to finals week, and the final two games for Malvern Stags at the touch coliseum known as Piddle Park. Malvern were drawn to play Ross and Pershore for the title. Quietly, behind cupped hands, people were saying that the first game, Malvern v Ross was the decider. Ross, unbeaten through the league system, masters of the touch dark arts, were the team to beat. Joe Purcell was like a wild maned lion, atop a rock, focused on his prey. Time for redemption. Time to right the wrong of the Ross defeat in the league two weeks previously.
The game kicked off. Malvern started well, good drives from Emma D Fosh and Joe Purcell shaped the early encounter. 1-0 Ross then 1-1, Jack Wakefield scoring in the corner after a deft pass from Dan Sparrey which could only be described as reminiscent of Salt Bae passing a rugby ball. 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, 3-3. Brilliant link play from Dan Clarke and the Flewers brothers, and outstanding wing play from Corey McNally and James Woods kept Malvern in the game. Then 4-3…4-4!!! Two great teams couldn’t be separated. Touch at its finest with fantastic scores from both teams. A game containing some wow-factor touch scores out wide and up the middle, brilliant passing and inventive play fused with tight, controlled defending. Dave White epitomising the hard work and effort needed in defence. White putting in so many touches he was compared to an octopus riding the teacups at Alton towers.
Two minutes left on the clock. Who would break? Who would step up to win the contest and possibly the title? Malvern took possession in Ross’s half, Dan Sparrey received the ball at first receiver, the Ross defender bit in, Sparrey dummied then gave the ball to Dan Clarke who clinically finished a 2 on 1, smoothly passing the ball to Jack Wakefield to score in the corner. 5-4. Game over. Time for Ross to get back on the fun bus. The battle of the M50 was won. The Stags had one game left for overall glory.
Game 2 was Malvern v Pershore. Malvern started with great focus, Purcell, Fosh, White and Gorgeous George Cox dominating the middle and link positions. Fosh bounding like a wild panther. Malvern took an early 2-0 lead, Pershore couldn’t contend with the speed, angles or sheer dynamic touch movement from Malvern. Half time and Malvern led 3-1. One half of finals touch action left.
Malvern came out in the second half with the same energy as the first. Scores from Isaac Flewers, James Woods, Jack Wakefield piled more pressure onto Pershore who simply had no answers. 4-2, 5-2, 6-2 and finally 7-2. The game was won. Dave Beech using all his touch experience to manage the game out and ensure no Pershore comeback would materialise. Ben Flewers’ energy throughout both games epitomised what this team is about.
So, Malvern won the Touch Series. A great tournament held over four weeks at Pershore RFC bringing eight regional touch teams together. Lots of new players had gained valuable experience of competitive touch and Malvern had been victorious.
Captain Dan Sparrey said, “Malvern Stags achieved its primary objectives during this series of blooding lots of new players in a competitive touch arena, developing our touch game offensively and defensively, and of course adding another trophy to Malvern’s cabinet. We look forward to the next series and developing the Touch teams even further. Thank you to Director of Rugby, Mark Gaubert, for his support of the team on the night”.
#OneVern🦌
