Malvern hang on to edge home - The Malvern Observer

Malvern hang on to edge home

Malvern Editorial 30th Oct, 2013 Updated: 20th Oct, 2016   0

MALVERN survived a storming second half fightback from Berkswell and Balsall to clinch a 21-19 Midlands One West victory at Honiley Road on Saturday.

Tries from Jordan Hillier, Tom Hale and James Southall put Malvern on course for a second successive league victory and a first triumph on the road this season.

But with 25 minutes left to play the visitors almost squandered a 21-0 lead as Berkswell hit back with three tries of their own to get within two points before the referee’s final whistle halted their charge.

Having ended their five-match losing streak with a comfortable win over Barkers Butts last week, Malvern arrived in buoyant mood.




And in a forward orientated game, it was the away side who were firmly on top in the scrum as they put Berkswell under pressure.

The hosts were protecting their try-line well in the opening stages before Malvern struck twice in the space of seven minutes. Hillier was the first player to cross the whitewash before Hale jinked his way through. Nathan Dunford added the extras as Malvern moved into a 14-0 lead.


Despite losing prop Grant Fraser to a yellow card just before the interval, the Worcestershire outfit remained on the front foot and soon notched up their third try of the afternoon through Southall, which Dunford converted.

The score seemed to set up Malvern for a convincing victory, but B&B had other ideas as they began to turn the match on its head.

Nico Waite and Oliver Flint both went over for the home side as the match entered its final ten minutes.

With nine points separating the two sides, Berkswell knew they needed a penalty and a converted try to snatch a draw.

But they could only claim the latter with a late Jon Lowden try, which Dan Burke converted, as Nick Tisdale’s men clung on.

Malvern will now be hoping to make it a hat-trick of victories as they host promotion-chasing Burton at Spring Lane on Saturday (3pm).

Reader Travel

Check out all of the latest reader travel offers to get your hands on some free gifts.

Printing

We can provide all of your printing needs at competitive rates.

Online Editions

Catch up on your local news by reading our e-editions on the Malvern Observer.

Public Notices

View and download all of the public notices in the Malvern Observer.