Rugby: Malvern three wins away from Twickenham final

The Spring Lane hosts saw off Northampton Old Scouts 29-14 to join Leek, Newark and Leighton Buzzard in the regional last four.

Malvern, boasting a 100 per cent record near the top of Midlands Two West (South), started the match with intensity but so did their fellow high-fliers.

However, Rob Cook's side broke the deadlock against the run of play when Jon Wills pounced after the full-back misjudged the bounce from Luke Milton's kick through.

Dan Batty's penalty extended the lead and Old Scouts missed a similar effort at the other end.

The visitors' flanker was sin-binned after repeatedly going in through the side of the ruck and Malvern quickly made the most of their advantage.

They set up inside the opposition 22 and the ball was passed out to Wills who grabbed his second try to secure a 15-point lead at half-time.

Malvern did not start the second half well with Batty sin-binned for repeated offences.

A quick tap penalty allowed the Old Scouts fly-half to muscle over for a try.

Malvern switched off and Old Scouts dominated to score another converted try which brought them within one point.

In front of a nervy crowd the Worcestershire side looked to the bench for reinforcements as they looked to ensure progress.

And it produced the right result for the home side as replacement Josh Herbert burst through and offloaded to Batty who fed Laurie Essenhigh to run in for the score.

The game was clinched by Malvern after the ball was put through the hands for Lewis Hardiman to go over in the corner.

Malvern’s determination and battling defence managed to grind out a crucial win over tough opposition.

They return to the league campaign on Saturday at home to high-flying Stratford (2.15pm) who moved above them into second with last weekend's 24-5 win over Evesham.

The third XV welcome Bredon.

Third-placed Upton visit lowly Dunlop and leaders Bromyard go to mid-table Old Wheatleyans in Midlands Four West (South) on Saturday.