Whitchurch 41 vs Malvern 12
It was the home side that got started putting the early pressure against Malvern on a cold afternoon at Edgeley Park. This was finally rewarded with a penalty try after 5 consecutive penalties close to the Malvern line following a talk by the referee warning the away side. The home side played some of the best rugby they have played all season with Max Clarke, man of the match making a 20 metre run through the centre before passing to Nathan Horton who off loaded to Ian Gillespie in the tackle who ran on to score by the touchline. This was a 12 point lead after just 20 minutes and the home crowd who were cheering on. 10 minutes later some more good passing by Gillespie and Horton who timed the pass to Jake Bailey perfectly who ran the last 2o yards to score again in the corner.
In the first minute of he second half Malvern came out of the blocks and scored 2 quick tries one that was converted to leave them only a score behind. The Whitchurch men then dug in and started to gain more possession, and a penalty was awarded in front of the post for James Marvell to convert on the 25 minute mark. This sparked the Whitchurch pack into gear who had been dominant all afternoon and Jake Rees back in the number 8 shirt drove over to score a try by the posts for Marvell to convert. With just 5 minutes to go the Whitchurch scrum drove 10 metres forward before scrum half Max Clarke collected the ball and broke through a tackle to score by the posts again. In the last play of the game a good hard run by Olly Garbutt made 20 metres before passing to Clarke to get his second try of the game darting through a tired Malvern defence. This was a good win by Whitchurch 41 points to 12 giving them a bonus point and getting off the bottom of the table.
The second team also had a convincing win at Shrewsbury with a final score of 19 : 64 with Whitchurch running in 9 tries under the captaincy of Alfie Crompton. This leaves them top of their league in the Staffordshire merit league.
Next week the 1st. team travel to Ledbury and will be looking to get another win to keep them in the league.
