Southam 0 - Malvern 68

Southam travelled to Malvern with a weakened squad following nine changes to the previous weeks team due to a combination of injury and unavailability. The situation was exacerbated before kick off when influential centre Tom Grimes was forced to withdraw through injury.

With positional changes also required in both the forwards and backs Southam were soon exposed by Malverns direct running and clinical handling and were allowed no opportunity to settle into the game. After ten minutes both Malvern wingers had scored tries after penetrating lines run by the centres and it was evident that Southam faced a challenging afternoon. After twenty minutes with the score at 24-0, Southam finally put some possession together and started to carry ball through the forwards, but handling errors and loose kicking for position
in field, ensured that the initiative remained with Malvern, who capitalised on every opportunity with crisp passing and the ability to present the ball carrier with options through support with pace. This meant that the scoreboard kept moving and at half-time Malvern were 51-0 ahead.

The second half began with Southam enjoying a period of possession and for the first time in the match were in territory to threaten the Malvern line. Debutants Charlie Munro, James Butlin and Robbie Sheppard grew in confidence as the game progressed and were joined by fellow debutants Sam Duckett and Adam Webster all five acquitted themselves well in tough circumstances. With the game now well beyond recovery Southam presented a much tougher challenge to Malvern and were more effective in their close tackling, stifling numerous midfield atacking opportunities. Despite Southam's resolute defensive effort and more effective ball retention, with both Olly Tyrell and Elliot Cook making major contributions Malverns expansive game plan yielded a further three tries leaving the final score at 68-0.

Southam's effort was never in question, but on the day with the home team's wingers scoring nine tries between them, the quality of Malvern's backs play and ability to create the overlap was "text- book" and proved difficult to defend against.

Next week Feb 3rd 1st home v Droitwich KO 2.15
Captains Day from 12.30pm