Malvern 8, Bromsgrove 17.

BROMSGROVE arrived at Spring Lane as clear favourites but were shaken from the first whistle as Malvern turned the ball over for Richard Fleming to race in for a second-minute try in this National Three Midlands clash.

This was the signal for the league leaders to go on the offensive, their forwards off-loading well to gain ground and feed the speedy back division.

They camped out in the Malvern 22, but the home defence repeatedly held them up until a 15th-minute line-out which saw a switch move to winger Warren Oliver, who went in at the corner.

As the Boars continued to put pressure on Malvern’s defence, Andy Murphy was sin-binned in the 23rd minute and Malvern did well to repel further assaults on their red zone while down to 14 men.

As the half neared its end, the home side gradually clawed their way back into the game, making forays into Bromsgrove territory.

One such attack ended with Adam Billig chasing a fumbled ball and colliding with the full-back. He received a bad leg injury and was stretchered off as the first period came to a close.

With the Malvern pack putting the visitors’ front row under the cosh, the referee missed what Malvern felt were several opportunities to award them penalties as the Bromsgrove props repeatedly came up in the scrum and the flankers weren’t binding.

The visitors then capitalised as a Malvern clearance kick outside the 22 went straight to touch.

From the resulting line-out, the Bromsgrove number eight Drew Harper bulldozed through for a try, converted by John Critchlow. As Malvern came back into the game more, probing at an increasingly uncomfortable Bromsgrove defence, Adam Dixon put over a penalty but the pendulum again swung away as Dom Murphy was sin-binned.

Again Malvern were down to 14 men, Bromsgrove made the extra man advantage tell, lock Cooper breaking through and off-loading to Harper for his second score.

Although Malvern spent the last 10 minutes pressing hard in Bromsgrove territory, they weren’t able to turn pressure into points and the leaders maintained their position at the head of the table.

However, playing for a quarter of the game with 14 men put them at a disadvantage which was difficult to overcome.

Malvern now entertain Luton tomorrow looking for a first win over the Bedfordshire side at the sixth attempt (ko 2.15pm). The match is preceded by a club lunch from noon.