Worcester 16 - Malvern 12
Huge thanks to Ed Duffy who has penned this week’s match report.
The local derby began well for Worcester with Malvern knocking on from the kick off; during the scrum, the Malvern prop slipped his bind conceding a penalty. Ben Waddington kicked the penalty giving Worcester a 3-0 lead after 2 minutes.
After some phase play from Worcester following the kick off Malvern strayed offside with Ben Waddington once again slotting the penalty kick. Possession changed hands frequently with no scores for 25 minutes. Malvern cleared a missed shot at goal from Worcester, Will Meredith ran the ball back into the Malvern half and broke two tackles before popping the ball inside to Ben Atkins who carried the ball up to the 5m line before passing the ball to a hard-charging Harvey Sharpe who drove over to score. Score 11-0.
Worcester then lost the ball on the subsequent kick off and after Worcester conceded a penalty for offside Malvern drove into the 22 with one up carries before the 9 darted over the line to score next to the posts. The Malvern 15 converted the try.
Following back and forth play in the middle third of the pitch Malvern spread the ball wide several times before a few forward carries brought them within 5m for the tighthead to drive over, the conversion was missed putting the score at 11-12.
Worcester missed a chance to go ahead with 10 mins left in the half when a penalty kick was dragged wide. 10 minutes into the half Ben Waddington went down and substituted off before returning to the field with about 10 minutes left. Twice excellent defense from Malvern lead to turnovers on their 5m line. Neither team scored for the first 30 minutes of the half although both teams showed good grit to prevent the other team scoring.
After a missed penalty Worcester attacked again with Isiah Martin scything up the blindside riding several tackles before offloading to Elijah Martin who drove to within 5m of the line before popping the ball to George Cunliffe to score in the corner. This put Worcester up 16-12 after the conversion was missed from the touchline.
The final three minutes were an impressive display in last-ditch defense from Worcester with Malvern camped in the Worcester 22, with time gone Charlie Lewin jackled the ball and won the penalty sealing the game for Worcester with a 16-12 victory. It was good to see all of the boys back in action especially Jonty in his first game with the team this season and Elijah returning after an extended period out.
