MALVERN welcomed Stourbridge Lions to Spring Lane for their final pre-season test.

The Lions were boosted by a few squad members from their National League Two side and looked sharper from the off.

Malvern put in a good drive as their pack looked well co-ordinated in open play but a pass was intercepted to allow the visitors a soft try.

They quickly followed up with good inter-passing to increase their lead, showing the benefit of early training with their senior squad.

Malvern responded when skipper Luke Milton put in a 90-metre run but was halted just before scoring.

As the hosts grew into the game, the forwards again looked lively in broken play and in driving mauls.

But the referee failed to award the decision after signalling a penalty advantage and Stourbridge’s centres hacked the ball downfield to score a bizarre try.

As the players were inter-changed over four 20-minute quarters, Malvern found rhythm and drove deep into Stourbridge territory.

They won a five-metre line-out and sucked in the defence for Laurie Essenhigh to nip through and score.

However, the visitors restored their lead when a failed chip kick presented the opposition with another soft try.

The second-half allowed the coaches to ring the changes and some of the fringe players showed their mettle.

But the visitors scored another try with a drive up the middle of the field.

Dan Batty responded with a burst to the line and Malvern won a penalty.

They controlled the ball well through the phases for Brian Edwards to drive over and score with Ben King converting.

The last quarter saw most of the first XV choices back for a competitive finale.

Stourbridge added a sixth try but Malvern had the last word when Milton put them deep into visiting territory and the forwards put in a fine drive to score.

Director of rugby Dave Irish was pleased with much of the Malvern performance, especially the pack.

He said: “Lions have been training with their National League side and it showed.

“They were sharper at the breakdown, although we improved, and they also capitalised on our sloppy play a couple of times.”

Malvern visit Woodrush in the North Midlands Shield first round tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Malvern are looking to get more children playing rugby ahead of the new campaign.

Training is every Sunday morning from 10am until noon from September until May at Spring Lane for boys and girls.

Children aged eight and under in school years one to three can play the tag version with contact rugby available for those older in year four and above.

For more details, visit malvernrfc.co.uk or e-mail Mark Wolfe at wolfe4213@gmail.com.