Malvern RFC made it eight wins in a row last weekend following their narrow win over fierce rivals Worcester to go second in the Regional 2 West Midlands table.

It was an attritional game in the rather muddy conditions at Westons Field and despite winning seven on the spin, Malvern found themselves 5-0 down at half-time to a Worcester side looking to end their four-match losing run.

The hosts were in command at the beginning of the second-half and should have made more of their chances but an inspired performance from fly-half Dan Batty, who scored all 16 points, steered his side to a perhaps fortunate victory.

Worcester will feel they deserved more from the contest but they had to settle for a losing bonus-point whilst Malvern took four to move into second and just a point from the new league leaders Old Halesonians.

And the new table toppers took their spot at the summit of the table thanks to a nailbiting 22-21 victory over previous top club Ludlow.

Having been unbeaten four games ago, Ludlow have now lost three of their last four and have dropped down to fourth as a result.

Down at the bottom of the table, it was more misery for Evesham and Droitwich.

Droitwich remain without a win this season as they slipped to a 34-10 defeat at home to Whitchurch, whilst Evesham lost for a seventh game in a row in a 8-24 defeat at home to an in-form Walsall side, who move up to third as a result.

Hereford maintained their title push as they bounced back from consecutive defeats to record a 29-12 victory over Stratford Upon Avon.

The top six in the league are now separated by just seven points as the race for promotion hots up once again.

The other match saw Crewe & Nantwich edge past Wolverhampton 17-14 in another close game.