MALVERN bounced back from their Spartans battering with a 25-10 home win over Nuneaton Old Edwardians in Midlands Two West (South).
The sixth-placed Spring Lane side moved level on points with their opponents as both sides tried to play clean, positive rugby in difficult conditions.
Starting up the slope against a strong wind, Malvern had a tricky first half and were tested with possession and territory.
The Warwickshire side employed the boot of their stand-off to push the hosts back but, apart from an early penalty score, they were met by a superb defensive shift.
In constant rain, Malvern held off OEs and finally got into away territory for the first time when Will Gough stole a line out-ball and the pack inched forward.
They won a promising penalty but the kick failed to find touch.
Malvern attacked again and got into the home 22 only for a penalty to be awarded against them for a suspected high tackle.
As the second half began, the wind dropped to give Malvern less of an advantage.
With George Roberts off with a shoulder injury, Adam Dixon came on at fly-half, Laurie Essenhigh moved to the wing and Joe Budd went to scrum-half.
The changes paid off as Malvern forced a line-out in the OE’s 22 and the ball was shipped back to Richard Fleming, who strode through to score.
Dixon started to boss the game and a slick set of moves saw Essenhigh zip through to score under the posts with Ben King’s conversion putting them two scores ahead.
King despatched a penalty with ease to make it 15-3 to delight a wet but increasingly vocal home crowd.
Adam Green, making his farewell appearance before going to New Zealand, put in a great burst of 25 metres but the ball was knocked forward in the tackle.
Jack Longley and Dave Smith won plenty of line-out ball and Malvern pinned the visitors down in their own half.
From a scrum, skipper Luke Milton joined in to go over for a third try to put the game beyond OEs.
However, from the restart, Malvern fumbled and OEs went through for a soft consolation try.
Amends were swiftly made when Tom Hale chased the restart kick and forced a turn-over with Dixon putting Fleming away for his second try and a winning bonus point from the last play.
Malvern head to Pinley, who are just one point below them in seventh spot, on Saturday.
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