MALVERN RFC were beaten at home for the first time this season as Walsall cruised to a bonus-point victory at Spring Lane last weekend.

Walsall, chasing Old Halesonians at the top of the Regional 2 West Midlands table, could ill-afford to drop points and their victory keeps them just six points off the league leaders.

As for Malvern, they lost for a third time in four matches in 2023, a run which has put to an end to any chances of winning the title.

Before this year, Malvern were second and on a nine match winning streak, but defeats to Wolverhampton, Crewe and Nantwich and now Walsall have seen them drop down to fifth in the Regional 2 West Midlands standings.

Malvern had come into the contest with Walsall on the back of a much-needed 29-20 victory over Evesham, but any chance of backing that up was swiftly eradicated.

Walsall's Max Brown scored a hat-trick and George Perkins also crossed twice for the visitors as they racked up a 43-14 win.

Malvern will have to dust themselves down as they prepare to welcome Hereford this weekend in another home game for the Vern. 

Hereford themselves come into the contest on the back of a morale boosting 33-12 win at home to Wolverhampton last Saturday. 

Hereford's result and Malvern's defeat meant that the visitors this weekend to Spring Lane are a place above in fourth.