MALVERN kickstarted their National League Three South West season with a seven-try 53-11 thrashing of Maidenhead at Spring Lane.

Although still beset by injury problems, their young guns put newly-promoted opposition under pressure to gain an advantage.

Forcing a line-out, the ball was taken on by Oli Marshall who popped it to teenage dynamo Harry Nuttall for the opening score in the eighth minute.

But the game turned in favour of Maidenhead as the hosts took their foot off the pedal and a Mike Virgo penalty was quickly followed by a try from lock Mark Mueller. Malvern conspired to concede territory and possession through poor decision- making and errors as another Virgo penalty stretched the lead to 11-5 just before the half-hour mark.

This prompted a big wakeup call and a resurgent Malvern stormed downfield, winning a penalty which Tom Longley slotted.

With Marshall and Nuttall causing havoc among the visiting forwards and halfbacks, Malvern found rhythm to their game.

George Kitching put in a couple of fine long-range touch efforts and Jordan Hillier made a good break as more pressure was piled on a creaking defence and penalties were conceded to give Malvern the upper hand.

Wise words at half-time inspired Malvern to come storming out of the blocks and skipper Matt Williams went on a charge as the home forwards took the game into visiting territory.

Forcing a penalty, Longley bagged another three points ahead of a sustained period of intense play from the home pack.

As Maidenhead struggled to cope, Nick Miller flew through the defence to score with Longley’s conversion making it a respectable 25-11.

Securing the ball at the restart, winger Tom Hale went on a marauding run, setting up quick ball for Miller to bag a second converted try.

Soon after, a loose ball was snaffled by Malvern and James Southall scored.

As Maidenhead ran out of steam, more pressure from Malvern saw them break from their own 22 and Nuttall’s off-load put Longley in to score and convert.

With the game drawing to a close, Miller again broke through and sent Nuttall in for his second and Longley’s sixth conversion to round off Malvern’s first win of the season.