MALVERN director of rugby David Robins was pleased to see his side weather a Stratford fightback to claim a 22-14 Midlands Two West victory that kept them on top of the table.

The Spring Lane side's chief said: "This Stratford side are tough to beat and we knew they represented a possible banana skin for us.

"They scrapped for everything even though we dominated up front and had they curbed their tendency to talk back to the referee it might have been even harder for us.

"The wind played an enormous part and we perhaps didn't make enough of its advantages in the second-half. We tried to run the ball a bit too much, whereas we should have let our dominant pack take it on more.

"Phil Rawle was superb and led by example, while Nick Tisdale's experience knitted the forward effort together and gave us extra line-out options.

"George Crook impressed greatly in the way he marshalled the midfield, while his place-kicking gave us something we have missed all season - consistency.

"With no match this weekend, we also look forward to the return of some highly-influential players from injury - Gareth Taylor, Owen Jones and Richard Fleming being on the road to recovery - while Ryan Henshaw's power should also be available.

"Bromsgrove are fighting for survival and will be difficult to beat at Finstall Park - we need to go into the game with all guns blazing if we are to secure two of the four points we need to assure promotion to Midlands One."

With one last home game against Burton and a final match away at Solihull's Portway ground to finish the campaign, the stage is set for a final push for the top spot and assured promotion to Midlands One.

Meanwhile, Malvern still await the semi-final draw for the North Midlands Cup, which has been delayed because Newport have reached the semi-final of the national Intermediate Cup against Chester.