Director of rugby Rob Cook praised the "brilliant" Dan Batty following the match-winning fly-halves impressive 16-point haul in the derby win at fierce local rivals Worcester last weekend.

Two penalties in the final six minutes of the game meant Malvern came from 10-12 down to win 16-12 and make it eight wins in a row for the Spring Lane outfit.

Batty also scored a superb solo try in the second-half and at full-time Cook was full of praise.

"Dan himself would say he was poor for 70 minutes but brilliant for the final 10 minutes, a match winner," said Cook.

"He changed the game. He scored an outstanding try and then he can kick the ball from anywhere at the moment and he was just brilliant."

One of those penalties was a monster 60-metre effort with Malvern 10-12 down in the final six minutes and a kick that put Malvern into the lead.

"I spoke to Dan and asked him if he fancied it and he said 'yeah, why not' and he just nailed it," added Cook.

"Momentum is huge in rugby and that swung the game in our favour massively and that was it once that kick went over."

Malvern have moved up to second in the table with the narrow victory and sit just a point off league leaders Old Halesonians.

Cook admits there is an element of surprise with how the season has started but is embracing it all the same.

"We have a good feeling at the club at the minute, the boys are all together and at the end of November we are getting 25 to training so no complaints from me," he said.

"I don't think we expected this but we will just keep kicking on and take each game as it comes."