MALVERN’S Max Hill will represent England Counties at the Hartpury Festival.

He came through the selection procedures of the England under 18s squad and faces France a week tomorrow at Hartpury College.

France then play Ireland on April 1 and England play the final game against Ireland on April 4.

Meanwhile, Hill’s brother Ted also progressed within the under 16s age group and captains the Midlands against London and the south-east at York.

He then tackles the Wellington Festival next month against Italy under 17s before games with Wales and France.

The cut for the national side is made before a full international with Wales on April 19.

The brothers learned their skills at Malvern, where father Vince played for many years.

Malvern lost 22-19 at home to Newark in the National Under 17s Cup Midlands semi-finals.

The visitors outclassed the Spring Lane side in the first 25 minutes but Malvern launched a fightback that nearly resulted in glory.

Home flanker John Friths, back from a serious leg injury, ripped the ball out of a ruck and powered clear with Dan Batty converting.

But Newark had bossed territory and possession and quickly levelled with a converted try from a sharp move after a line-out.

They scored an inevitable second to make it 14-7 after a clever blind-side switch.

Newark bagged a third try, with the extras missed, after their centre chipped through from halfway and they added a penalty.

But Malvern hit back before half-time when number eight Jack Curtis tore away from halfway to finish under the posts and Batty converted.

In the second period, Batty took a tap penalty from close range and barrelled over but they could not find the crucial next score and lost by three points.

Ledbury player Will Butler, 16, has set his sights on a place in the Worcester Warriors academy after starring for their under 18s.

He played at centre for Warriors’ second string in a 20-14 win over an Army side at Sixways.

“It was a great experience and a proud one for me with my family watching right by the tunnel,” said Butler.