Rugby: Malvern 45 Old Halesonians 41

Fielding perhaps their strongest team of the season, a fine display of inter-passing saw veteran prop Grant Fraser burst through to score an early try and set up Dan Batty's conversion.

Malvern then stunned Old Hales with a move down the tight side with Rob Cook setting Jon Wills off for a try.

Old Hales pulled back five points but Malvern shrugged off the temporary setback and spread the ball wide for Cook to score.

The visitors struck back with a converted try but then a clearance only found Wills who went through for his second score with Batty converting.

Old Hales set up a close-range driving maul as another converted try kept them within five points of Malvern.

Another Old Hales mistake got pounced on by Laurie Essenhigh and Jack Curtis was put away to score with the conversion going just wide.

The visitors came back with another converted try to take the total first-half points scored to 57.

Old Hales put Malvern under the cosh after half-time, ending with a catch and drive in the corner to level the scores.

But Malvern did not capitulate and struck back straight away with a lineout win for Cook to score and Batty convert.

Another Old Hales try in the corner got them back to only 38-36 down before a Malvern penalty was quickly taken by Essenhigh who dashed through a sleeping defence to score under the posts.

Cook's conversion provided a nine-point cushion which proved sufficient despite a last-gasp Old Hales try.

During a disappointing season the performance showed the Malvern faithful there is still plenty of life and spirit in the club.

Second-from-bottom Malvern now have to wait to find out which league they will play in next season as there is a possibility of a level transfer into the south-west.

Upton ended a tough season at the bottom of Midlands Three West (South) with a 29-19 defeat at Coventry Welsh.

Sixth-placed Bromyard finished their Midlands Four West (South) campaign with a 19-5 home win over Redditch.