Ian Budd Cup.

A MALVERN side put in a dominat display at the first-ever Ian Budd Cup for under 19s was held at Spring Lane in glorious sunshine.

The tournament involving Malvern, Wolverhampton, Stourbridge and two sides from Pentyrch near Cardiff, was played as a 10-a-side version with each team playing each other in a round-robin style with the best placed team taking the honours at the end.

The Malvern side was assembled from the club’s Academy for local 16 to 19-year-olds which had been established in January in Budd’s name.

He had been working hard to get an academy up and running at Malvern shortly before his death last December. But his dream has since been realised and with the academy named in his honour.

Rather like the tournament on Sunday, the academy has been a huge success.

The young players have responded brilliantly to the expert coaching they have received from a string of current Malvern first team players under the leadership of Tom Longley and Matt Williams.

It was under the direction of this pair that the Malvern side kicked off against Pentyrch ‘A’.

Despite falling behind early, Malvern fought back, led by the ever lively Jo Budd, and secured a four-try to two victory.

After Stourbridge had drawn with Pentyrch ‘B’, Malvern played the impressive and powerful Wolverhampton, who scorched to a two-try lead early on.

The hosts stuck to their task and just before the break scored a crucial try.

The second-half was a hard-fought affair and virtually with the last play, James Doorbar and George Kitchen conjured up some real magic to see the latter break clean through.

Although hauled down on the line, he was able to pop the ball up for Malvern to score, convert and clinch the win.

From a home viewpoint, this was capped by two further comprehensive Malvern victories against Pentrych ‘B’ and Stourbridge.

Overseeing proceedings at the end of the day, director of rugby Andy Longley paid tribute to all who had put the event on and said how fitting it was Fiona Budd was able to award the trophy in her husband’s name to her son Jo.

Malvern are always on the lookout for players of all ages and abilities, in particularly for their academy, and the club’s doors are always open.