Battling Malvern bow to Luctonian's experience
Luctonians 36 Malvern 6
On the first visit to Kingsland for over 4 years Malvern travelled as underdogs for this North Midlands Cup semi-final. Still hampered by injuries, they faced a full strength Lucs side that is vying for Midlands One play-off spot to the National leagues. He absence of skipper Ryan Watkins meant a reshuffle in the backs, with Tom Longley, son of coach and former Malvern stalwart Andy Longley, making his first team debut in his father’s old original position at stand-off. Ned Anderson moved to the centre and Owen Jones returned for a run out after his hamstring problems. Malvern took an early lead with a Hooper penalty in the 7th minute, but as the home side’s bigger pack got to work, the front five contest was definitely going to go the way of the men from North Herefordshire. Malvern played with a purpose missing from the previous week’s game at Bromsgrove, but Lucs took the lead when the scrum half nipped in down the blind side, then extended it after 15 minutes with a score from the flanker after some missed tackles on the winger. On the half hour Lancett was yellow carded for reacting to a little skulduggery and the number eight went in to score after a punishing driving maul. Malvern then put in a good period of play to put the home side under pressure, forcing a penalty 5 metres inside their own half. Hooper despatched the 55 metre kick between the posts to lift Malvern spirits, but Lucs had the last word of the half as more missed tackles allowed them to stretch the lead to 22-6 at the break.
The second half saw Malvern playing better, having got used to the faster pace of the game than that found in Midlands Two, and they restricted the Kingsland side to tries from a winger and the scrum half.
Malvern Director of Rugby David Robins was pleased with the display put up by his team. “We weren’t disgraced by the performance today – it gave us a yardstick to measure our requirements should we be promoted to Midlands One. The pace is quicker, so both physical and mental agility are required. We were made to struggle in the tight and missed some crucial tackles, but as the Luctonians people reminded us, they had put over 50 points past some sides in their league this season, so we can be reasonably happy with our game. More importantly, it acted as a sharpener for this week’s crucial penultimate league match against Burton. We should have all our injured players back, plus some who were not available for this cup match. Having given Burton a fairly sound beating at Peel Croft they will be out for some revenge – we can expect no quarter from them, so must be at the top of our game. We need to win this match and the last game at Solihull to ensure promotion. The players all know that they carry the club’s destiny in their hands and the attitude in the dressing room is one of determination. The lads are totally focused on the job in hand and training this week will be intensive and specific.”
Kick of at Spring Lane on Saturday is 3.00p.m. and is preceded by the annual Old Players Lunch, so a good supporting turnout is assured.
