MALVERN Rugby Club maintained third spot in Midlands Two (West) after a 23-15 win at Newbold.

After a line-out Mark Eastwood broke through the middle to make ground, gaining a penalty for Longley to open the scoring in the 16th minute.

Malvern scored a try when a penalty to touch put them into Newbold territory, Ott eventually going over in the corner.

With a score behind them, Malvern moved up a gear but Newbold hit back against the run of play, a converted try following a catch and drive from line-out leaving them just one point behind at the interval.

Newbold took the game to Malvern in the second-half, forcing three quick penalties, the last of which was kicked to capture the lead.

Malvern finally began to put some moves together and Richard Fleming ran in a try on the hour and Eastwood's power took him through for a score five minutes later.

The visitor's purple-patch continued with ten minutes remaining when Ott went clear on the wing after Malvern had continually recycled the ball.

The spirited home side again fought back, scoring a late try, but Malvern had done enough.