MALVERN cruised past Midlands Two West (South) basement boys Old Yardleians 68-6 at Spring Lane.

A weakened home team still had too much to offer and they again made an explosive start.

Fine handling and lines of running saw veteran lock Dave Smith finish off the move with Ben King converting.

Old Yards kicked a long-range penalty before Malvern switched play quickly with Smith on hand to go over again.

The visitors pegged back another three points as the referee claimed a tip tackle from Malvern and showed a yellow card.

Malvern had a poor spell but then Jon Wilkins made inroads and the ball was switched inside for Ieuan Mustow to give King an easy conversion.

The try bonus point was secured when Mustow fed Luke Milton to score with King adding the extras.

Malvern leaked unnecessary penalties but from one they stole the subsequent line-out and moved upfield for Jack Curtis to dummy his way through for a fine score.

King’s conversion took the half-time score to 33-6.

Malvern came out with all guns blazing, taking the ball into the visiting 22 before Curtis picked up and strolled through a gap for another converted try.

The forwards drove towards the line with James Tutty charging forward to score and give King another easy two points.

Malvern won a penalty and King got on the try-scorers' list before converting his own effort.

Old Yards' lack of fitness told and they lost several players to injury, leaving gaps.

Curtis grabbed his hat-trick before King closed proceedings with another converted try.

It was not one of Malvern’s better displays but was notable for another appearance by 56-year-old prop Steve Cooper in his 319th game in a Malvern shirt.

On Saturday (3pm), second-placed Malvern visit bogey side Silhillians who inflicted a rare defeat on them in November.