Malvern in the Mist

It was our pleasure to welcome Malvern to Lower Albert Road on a misty Sunday morning for the U11’s first home game of the season. A few players missing but just enough to field 2 sides, arranged as A and Dev to give everyone a go by prior agreement with Malvern.

Game 1 – Evesham A v Malvern A

Few changes from last week. Some hasty kicking practise on the morning so Will Brett could fill the 10 shirt after James ruled out with injury from last week (get well soon James), Slippery Wycherley moved from wing to inside centre and Joel and Geordy making a well deserved appearance after strenuous work in the dev side recently.

Very even match with both sides attacking and defending equally well, Malvern moving the ball along the line and stringing the passes together, Evesham favouring fewer passes and direct running centres. Half time came all too soon, the sides separated only by a Will Brett try.

Second half more of the same saw Malvern giving the Evesham lads a master class in counter rucking. Big Tom Merrall put in a ‘shift with the shoulder’ tackling particularly well, Joel the same, Jake (where is the cake) Hopkins got a try, Oliver (Slippery) Wycherley dodged then dodged some more to get a try and Malvern got one in return.

The one time Evesham did string some passes together they found Aimee in plenty of space on the wing but early celebrations were doused as she was halted a foot (304.8mm for the younger parents) from the line.

Great match to watch, a credit to both sides.

Game 2 – Evesham Dev v Malvern Dev

A significant improvement from the dev lads this week and Josh in good form with the boot at 10. New rules settling in and players growing in experience and confidence, so much so that the first half saw Matt Pearce display plenty of pace in only his second game to score his first ever try. A second from Jake filling in at hooker was answered by 2 from Malvern by half time. The equal score line a fair reflection of the game so far.

Second half saw George almost make a tackle (it will happen soon, you watch) and another Evesham newcomer come of age as Ben Smith charged across the line for his first try. Malvern answered with 2 leaving it to Olly Wycherley (trying his arm in the front row, second half) to equalise just before the final whistle.

Four all the entirely appropriate result, some great development rugby, huge fun to watch and excellent experience for both sides.

Game 3 – Evesham A v Malvern A

Who needs hotdogs, Malvern were keen to give the first team another run out, the Evesham lads are perpetually keen to play so on we went as the pitches around us emptied.

Another good contest, just one try from Jake separating the teams 1:0 at half time. The summer fitness training then started to pay off in the second half which saw one try each for Jack Sanger Davis, that Wycherley lad for his third of the day and Bretty break the line for his second.

Four nil at full time an unflattering score line that does not tell the story for Malvern who battled well to the end and played the more attractive rugby.

Last year group off the field, again, tired but happy after a great morning of rugby.

Man of the Match this week – Ben Smith for some excellent work which also merited a run out with the A team second half.

Thanks to Ed for refereeing all three games to much acclaim by Malvern.

Training on Wednesday 18:15, MudRunner next Sunday for those registered, training at Evesham with '20' for those not running.

JB