Malvern 43 Whitchurch 29
Another long journey for the Whitchurch team down to Malvern. This week the Shropshire side saw 4 young debutants for the 1st team, Harrison Vernon, Leo Whittaker, Andy Davies, and Matt Slark adding to Max Clarke and Tom Emmerson in their second competitive first team game.
What Whitchurch lacked in experience did not show in the forwards as they dominated throughout the game but met a good set of backs from Malvern that in the end was the away sides downfall.
Whitchurch started the better and turned down the chance of a penalty kick in front of the posts early on to go for the lineout. On this occasion this proved to be the wrong option losing the lineout. Whitchurch kept battling away and on the 15 minute mark scrum half Max Clarke spotted a gap and ran through to score the first try of the game. Five minutes later Whitchurch had Matt Morgan yellow carded for not rolling away and with the man advantage the Malvern backs ran in a try to level the scores at 5 each. The Reds forwards then showed their dominance up front and Jake Bailey went over to score in the corner with a good driving maul. The extra 2 points with James marvel converting to give the Whitchurch team a 7 point advantage. Danny Nicholas was then yellow carded for a deliberate knock on and again the Malvern team took advantage and scored to level and just on half time increased their lead with another try leading 19:12 at the break.
Whitchurch were back in the game 3 minutes into the second half with another show of dominance in the forwards with Ian Gillespie going over the line for another try. The conversion hit the post and 10 later Max Clarke broke again from the half way line but was stopped just short of the line with a great tackle from the Malvern defence. This inspired the home team and with lovely passing in the backs broke through to score again giving them a 26:17 advantage half way through the half. Not to be outdone the Whitchurch forwards pressed hard again and Jake Bailey went over for his second try of the game. Malvern were then reduced to 14 men for a penalty but their man of the match flanker broke through and scored under the posts. With 10 minutes remaining they went over again to give them a 43:24 lead. Ian Gillespie got his second try of the game in the last minute to earn the Whitchurch team a bonus try point and a final score of 43:29.
After the game coach Andy Powell was disappointed with the result but praised the young lads on their effort saying they didn’t look out of place at senior level. He went on to say that it’s not the effort or commitment that let the team down but discipline and took it as a hard pill to swallow. He wants more commitment to training and will be working hard on fitness and is adamant that a top 4 place in the league is still achievable.
There is no game next week and entertain Ledbury at home on the 12th. October with a 3pm kick off. There was no second team fixture but they are away to Longton on the 12th. as well.
