MALVERN held off a spirited fightback from Earlsdon to claim a maximum point 33-24 win at Mitchell Avenue in Midlands Two West (South).

Tries from Dan Batty (2), Jon Bywater, Conor Giggle and Tom Hale saw the visitors establish a 33-7 lead.

The Coventry side refused to give in, though, as they hit back with three tries but Malvern had enough in the tank to secure victory.

With the previous week’s stunning success against leaders Droitwich still a fond memory Malvern travelled to Earlsdon in high spirits.

And they soon opened the scoring as Luke Milton went on a run before feeding Batty who outpaced the home defence to score, Ben King converting.

This signalled a good passage of play from the Spring Lane men who moved the ball up the wing and Bywater ghosted in for a fine individual try. King added the extras.

Although the lineout was misfiring and the movement of the ball from the ruck wasn’t as smooth as Malvern would have linked they retained possession well.

The ball then found its way out to Giggle who drove over in the corner as Malvern opened up a healthy lead at half-time.

The second period saw Earlsdon playing a much tighter, forward-dominated game, refusing to allow Malvern much sight of the ball.

They were soon rewarded with a converted try, but this stung Malvern back into action.

The backs moved the ball to Batty who stormed through for his second of the day, which King converted.

Earlsdon went on the attack again, but Malvern seized a loose ball and set Hale off on a scoring run as he managed to free himself from the shackles of an attentive defence.

King’s kick made it 33-7 and they looked home and dry.

However Earlsdon showed that they are made of stern stuff and proceeded to dominate the final 20 minutes with a display of keep ball, not allowing Malvern any decent possession from which to release their backs.

The home team scored three tries, one of which was converted, to take them within nine points of Malvern.

But in the end it was the first half display which had mainly sealed the game in the visitors’ favour.

Malvern now go into their final league match against Evesham on Saturday (3pm) only 15 points short of the 1,000-mark for the season.

Already assured of a home play-off spot, they will be welcoming Crewe and Nantwich to Spring Lane the following week.

And the players will welcome the support they know will come from the Malvern faithful to see them over the final hurdle.

The team also have the prospect of a North Midlands Shield semi-final at Whitchurch against a side from the corresponding north section of the league.