MALVERN Rugby Club moved above Southam to sixth in Midlands Two West (South) after grinding out a 15-8 win in atrocious conditions at Spring Lane.

Despite a slippery ball and cold conditions both teams tried to play running rugby.

Tom Hale opened the scoring when he switched wings to create an overlap and Ben King converted.

Southam won a penalty to pull back three points and then drove to the Malvern line to score an unconverted effort.

On the stroke of half-time Malvern won a penalty and King put over the kick to regain the lead for the Spring Lane side.

In the second half Jack Curtis put in a blistering charge up the left wing to score with King only just missing a difficult conversion. Meanwhile, Worcester Wanderers lost 22-7 at Dudley Kingswinford to go down to fourth from bottom in Midlands One West and Hereford beat Crewe and Nantwich 24-10.

Leaders Droitwich maintained their 100 per cent Midlands Three West (South) record with a 38-10 win at second-placed Ledbury.

Evesham remained third with a 41-0 win over Woodrush and Upton lost 27-20 at Old Coventrians. Kidderminster Carolians lost 27-25 at Newcastle in Midlands Two West (North).

Bromyard closed in on the Midlands Four West (South) top spot with a 7-3 win at Coventrians, while Pershore lost 17-15 at lowly Kings Norton.

Bromsgrove stayed bottom of National Three South West with a 20-13 defeat at Camborne.