MALVERN Rugby Club kept the pressure on at the top of Midlands West Two with a good 20-39 win at Old Coventrians on Saturday.

Although Malvern were expected to come away with the two points, away games are never easy and Malvern still may rue a defeat at now third from bottom Stafford earlier in the season.

Results on the day went Malvern's way with league leaders Burton defeating second-placed Hinckley in a tight game, allowing the Spring Lane side to go into second spot.

Malvern director of rugby, David Robins, said: "We often seem to save our indifferent performances for some of the weakest sides in the league. However, we were only indifferent for a short spell either side of half-time.

"We had already put the game in the bag with some dazzling rugby in the first 35 minutes. When attacking, we looked irresistible and it was only some lacklustre defending, when we had gone into the comfort zone, that let a spirited OC's side come back at us. Our tight scrimmaging wasn't particularly good and we will be working on that in training.

"We now enter the final phase of the season with all to play for. After our next home game against Leamington we face Hinckley, currently on the same record as us, although we have a better points difference.

"The other significant team in the equation is Stoke, with a late unbeaten run which highlights them as a possible threat to all three teams at the top, as Burton, Hinckley and Malvern all have to play them.

"To repeat the mantra, we have to win all our remaining games to get into at least a play-off place. The season has taken its toll with injuries, but the lads in the squad are up for the challenge."