MALVERN proved a point after an early-season mauling in Lincolnshire with an impressive 29-5 victory over Scunthorpe in National Three Midlands.

From the first scrum, the Malvern pack asserted themselves and drove to the Scunthorpe five-metre line.

The visitors cleared but conceded a penalty and a further scrum saw Malvern drive to the line with Tim Pickard scoring a fifthminute try.

After 16 minutes, Tom Longley, Luke Milton and Robin Fransson combined and Scunthorpe conceded a penalty which Swede Fransson slotted over.

Slowly, Scunthorpe came into the game, finally getting into the Malvern half, but the home defence was expertly marshalled by Ieuan Mustow to shut out the visiting side’s danger men.

This caused some frustration in their ranks and they conceded several penalties which enabled Malvern to clear their lines.

Phil Rawle was injured after a typical high-impact display and was replaced by Ollie Marshall, but Malvern were reduced to 14 men when Nick Miller was shown a yellow card. Scunthorpe took advantage and scored through stand-off Tom Foster.

After the break, Malvern came out showing the same thirst for controlled attacking rugby they had displayed in the first-half.

The forwards continued to punch through with man-of-thematch Rory Gratwohl in outstanding form.

On the hour mark, Gratwohl fielded a clearance kick and went on a rampaging run, the ball was quickly moved out and Fransson went over and then converted his try.

Winning two five-metre scrums in succession, Malvern’s front eight had their opposite numbers in difficulties.

They repeatedly infringed and the referee awarded a penalty try with Fransson bagging the conversion.

With 10 minutes left, Richard Fleming burst through and fed Gratwohl for a score, which Adam Dixon converted.