Kenilworth 19, Malvern 50.

KENILWORTH hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Malvern in recent years, but a dominant display turned that around in this National Three Midlands clash with four tries from Tom Longley.

With several back division players out through injury, Malvern fielded a changed side from that which beat Burton, although the pack had a fairly familiar look.

It was the forwards who set down an early marker with some intensive power play, mixing good rucking with well-drilled mauls to go deep into the home red zone from the kick-off.

Panic in the hosts’ ranks saw persistent offending and a sin-bin visit for number eight Watts after only four minutes.

More pressure saw a forward drive over the home line and a penalty try awarded for a further offence, with Dixon converting.

Will Farris then went close after a good run at the Kenilworth defence, before another well-won ruck saw scrum-half Longley dance through to score his opener.

The Malvern pack, much lighter than the home eight, dominated all afternoon in the set-pieces.

The versatile Matt Humphreys, giving a superb display of hooking, won several against the head and his colleagues were no less excellent, working the phases well until a Simon Daws breakaway put Longley away for another score. The home side replied briefly when an interception gave centre Adam Canning an easy run-in, but another Malvern strike against the head saw Jimmy Aston sent clear to run in a try for Dixon’s conversion.

With a 17-point lead, playing into a strong wind and only 30 minutes gone, Malvern were well in control, only for Kenilworth to respond with a fine cross-field kick for Canning to collect and score, Joss Andrews converting.

Malvern retorted by spending the last 10 minutes of the first period camped out in the Kenilworth half, one 25-metre driving maul taking them to the line, only for the referee to adjudge they had been held up.

The second-half started as the first had, with the Malvern pack dominating and the backs looking incisive. Kenilworth scrum-half Toby Handley earned a 10-minute rest in the sin-bin as Malvern upped the intensity.

Malvern opted for a scrum, drove to the line and Daws went over to give Dixon another conversion.

When Kenilworth mounted an attack their backs looked dangerous, but the Spring Lane outfit’s cover defence was equal to the task, a failing last season which has been addressed. The influential Owen Jones came off injured and Humphreys earned himself a yellow card.

Kenilworth took the opportunity to reply as lock James Wadey crashed over after the resulting penalty. Longley scored two late touchdowns to complete his impressive four-try haul and seal an emphatic win for the visitors.