Junior rugby

MALVERN continued with the winning theme last weekend against local adversaries Bromyard, this made it one each for game results for the season.

Spectators from both sides were entertained by a fast-flowing game that showed great levels of skill from both teams.

Malvern’s try scorers were Flanker Will Brown (two), winger Rob Flint, flanker Ben Essenghigh (both one) and number eight Andy Kilmaster (two) and Geran Payne (two conversions).

Player-of-the-match went to hooker Harry Cain who contributed in all areas of the game.

n Malvern Rugby Club is holding a junior day at Spring Lane on Sunday.

Players aged between seven and 11 will play in a world cup game and the seniors (aged between 12 and 16) will be playing sevens rugby.

Other attractions include a bouncy castle, cake stall, sweets and barbecue. The event starts at 10am.

LEDBURY u13s.

LEDBURY Rugby Club u13s tasted competition success for the first time while on tour in Ashford. In the South Coast Festival of Rugby, held at Ashford Rugby Club, Ledbury beat Bromley and Ashford in a round robin final to lift the Challenge Cup trophy. A 22-man squad competed over the two-day festival.

After mixed fortunes on day one, Ledbury found themselves in the Challenge Cup round robin final, and faced a huge Bromley side.

Ledbury were phased by this physical presence and poor decision making cost the team. Handling errors and poor ball retention allowed turnover ball twice in close succession losing 2–0 approaching half-time, the game was slipping away from the Herefordshire side.

However, just before half-time, Ledbury put together a series of good phases, ending with the ball being spun wide to Alistair Martin in the centre.

He straightened the line and powered over under the posts.

After the break Ledbury dominated, and set up camp in the Bromley half. Martin then went over for his second of the game.

From the kick-off Ledbury moved forwards again, but lost possession deep in the Bromley half.

Good pressure from the backs forced a mistake, Tom Poyner picked up the bouncing ball and rounded the out-of-position defence to give Ledbury a well-deserved lead.

In the second game of the day, Bromley beat Ashford to leave Ledbury needing a draw against Ashford to win the cup. Having beaten Ashford on the previous day with tries from Will Dzioba and a superb solo effort from flanker Noah Callaghan, Ledbury were showing confidence as they lined up for the final game.

Dzioba weaved, jinked and powered over to score the first try. Ashford kicked-off poorly for a second time. Martin gathered the ball and ran the ball and scored.

Martin went over for a second try before an excellent passage of play created an overlap on the right, releasing Dzioba for a fourth score.

Martin went over yet again for his hat-trick, before the best move of the tournament saw Matthew Badham score in the left hand corner to make it 6–0.

The ball had been moved from side to side, with the forwards winning ruck after ruck. Oli Warrilow fed Poyner who quickly passed to Rory Gunning.

He took on two players and released the ball to Dan Risbey, who in turn drew his man perfectly and released Badham, who made the 30-yard run in look easy. Ashford never gave up and scored two consolation tries.