MALVERN moved up to fourth in Midlands Two West (South) with a 41-8 win over Spartans in Midlands Two West (South).

They overcame tough opposition with a last-quarter display that demonstrated the potential at Spring Lane.

The Sutton Coldfield visitors started well, using their forward power to go deep into home territory, but skipper Luke Milton cleared.

Malvern responded with Craig Freeman driving on and Richard Fleming, Milton, Laurie Essenhigh and George Withers all involved before releasing George Roberts.

The winger celebrated his 75th game by going over to score and Ben King converted.

But Spartans used forward power to drive back a scrum and charge down a clearance.

Malvern won a penalty and tried to run the ball from their own 22 only to be penalised for not releasing in the tackle.

The visitors kicked the penalty and then countered with five phases to get within striking distance only to knock on.

Malvern again tried to run from deep but knocked on and, from the scrum, the well-drilled opposing front eight claimed a push-over try to take the lead.

The Worcestershire side replied with their running game but fumbled or knocked on. However, they stifled a Spartans scrum, won on their own put-in and won a penalty, which King kicked to regain the lead.

A Richard Hobbs injury saw Dave White enjoy his first senior outing as Malvern continued to run the ball.

Freeman again was prominent, taking the ball on strongly to take Malvern close.

He drove to the line and was stopped short, as was Dave Smith, but Essenhigh marshalled the plays well and the ball was moved for Roberts to dive over.

The conversion was charged down but the half ended with Malvern 15-8 ahead.

The second period saw Spartans play to their forward strength and they camped in Malvern's half for 15 minutes.

Strong, if at times desperate, defending kept them out before the home scrum stabilised to negate the threat.

A yellow card for Spartans gave Malvern the advantage and Essenhigh made a 30-metre break to set up a ruck.

Milton joined the line and King went over to give a two-score cushion.

Withers then broke and King slipped the ball inside for Essenhigh to dart through to score and convert.

Replacement Liam Rolleston made a swift impact with strong runs up the wing.

The visitors lost another man to the sin-bin for a knock-on and Malvern snaffled a fumble with Essenhigh darting in for another try converted by King.

To complete the scoring, Malvern won a penalty to take them eight metres out and a good move was finished off by James Southall with King adding the extras.