Redditch RFC

Promotion favourites Malvern II were made to work hard for this victory against a Redditch side that fought to the end, never giving up.

The opening salvoes on a grey breezy afternoon saw the visitors on top. Driving runs with support runners saw them gain territory and confidence, the ball being shifted between pack and backs with ease but they were undone in a second when an outrageous dummy was thrown by the Malvern flyhalf giving him an open pitch to run through to score.

It was a pattern that was repeated throughout the half. Determined endeavour to gain ground and possession was too often undone by a flash of skill from the home playmaker at 10 and his supporting runners, and R found themselves four tries down at the break.

The Redditch tackling was top drawer, Will Heath, Cal Razzak and Jon Beale especially in the centre field brought down their men time after time but the M support play was such they there was invariably another pair of hands following up to take the pass.

Jon Beale tackled all day

The R pack, who were dominant in the set scrum had their work cut out in the loose though Nathan Marthews at no8 had a solid game and Tyler Monger, starting a first team game for the first time, had a busy afternoon getting involved all over the pitch and he well deserved of his Player of the match nomination.

A few injuries after the break restricted R's ability to compete 100% and they found it difficult to capitalise on a decent breeze at their backs. Another try directly from the second half kick off could have opened the flood gates but if anything the Kingfishers upped their game. 

In the end though they conceded two late tries when they were stretched out wide. Will Heath slotted a penalty kick  to put something on the board and for the third game in a row R scored a try with the last play of the match when Clarke Parker took a crash ball from a winning scrum, WH converted.

R should take a lot from this performance, Malvern are a well drilled team on the way up and they often  struggled to maintain their dominance against a R side who steadfastly refused to lay down.

Next Sat should be the oft postponed match at Upton, league leaders, assuming their pitch dries out in time

Joe Morgan stretches out but the Malvern cover looks to have his number