STOKE toppled champions Burton in their previous outing, so Malvern knew that they would be in for a tough time to finish the league season with a win.

MALVERN 15pts, STOKE 7pts

With stand-off Dave King sidelined by injury, Steve Ott answered the call and proved his growing reputation as an all-round back.

He soon had to prove his defensive abilities as Stoke made a spirited start, the mobile back row taking the ball to Malvern. The home back row, with Aidan Ruddock dropping to flanker from second row, was also called on to show fierce tackling abilities as the early advances were repelled.

Malvern soaked up the pressure, before Longley's boot put the Spring Lane side deep into visiting territory. Eastwood and Ott took play on through the middle, but Stoke won a scrum, only to be penalised for crossing. From the line-out Malvern put together a driving maul which crabbed its way a full 25 metres to the Stoke line, even full-back Longley adding his weight. Scrum-half Julien Davies retrieved the ball and jinked his way through a panicking defence to open the books for Malvern in the 24th minute and Ott converted.

This was the signal for Stoke to come back into the game and as the Potteries side pressed forward, some desperate Malvern defending conceded penalties.

The referee, Clare Daniels from Somerset, the first lady to officiate in a league game at Malvern, was quick to spot any infringement and Nick Smith was shown the yellow card as the half drew to a close.

Stoke made the extra man count as their strong number eight Brown went over for a try and full-back Talbot evened the scores.

The opening 15 minutes of the second-half again saw Stoke in the ascendancy. Strangely, the visitors started to spin the ball out, which played into Malvern's hands. Longley fielded a loose ball and opened up play, with the ball going out to Rob Young on the left wing. He made a 30 metre burst to the line, fighting off two defenders to score a crucial try in the 58th minute.

After some more closely contested play in the middle of the field, Ott put over a penalty to give Malvern some breathing space. Veteran prop Steve Cooper and the experienced George Blakeway joined the fray, whilst 18-year-old Stuart Clarke, on for the injured Drage, put in a whirlwind performance.

A little bit of niggle near the end was quelled by the referee but this did not mar Malvern's victory in what had been generally a hard-fought but sporting affair.