MALVERN entered the run-in to the difficult pre-Christmas period of tough fixtures knowing they had to win to keep their Midlands Two (West) promotion hopes alive.

MALVERN 37pts, OLD LAURENTIANS 5pts

They set about the task with vigour against a Laurentians side which had competed in Midlands One last year, Andy Longley opening the scoring with a first minute penalty.

The veteran full-back proceeded to give an impressive demonstration of kicking from hand to keep the Rugby-based team penned back in their own half, whilst the speed of back row trio of Nick Smith, Alex Thomas and Edgy Uzoigwe harried and pressed the visitors every attempt to move the ball.

In the 13th minute Malvern won a line-out and Uzoigwe's speed took him through the visiting defence to set up skipper Matt Richardson, who stormed in for the first try of the match and Longley popped over the conversion.

Three minutes later, the young Ulsterman, a student at Hartpury College, again went on a ranging run to link up with the centres, Eastwood's power taking him over, Longley again converting. Halfway through the first period, returning scrum half Julien Davies, giving a typically feisty display, robbed the ball and put in a long grubber kick. Winning the line-out, Malvern's pack went on the rampage again, Smith making it 24-0 and Longley again taking the extra two points.

Another Longley penalty on the half hour put the smoothly-running Malvern side out of sight as they gave a display of near faultless open rugby.

Nick Major, playing at outside centre and another product of the King's School rugby factory, linked well with Mark Eastwood, who received exemplary service from stand-off Dave King on his return from Australia. The front five had to work hard against a strong pack, the tussle between the inspirational Shaun Lancett and his opposite number a connoisseur's delight.

Hooker Andy Logan, recovered from a broken wrist, oozed class and the engine room of John Drage and Aidan Ruddock put in a hefty performance. Malvern recycled the ball beautifully, wingers Rob Young and Steve Ott cutting inside and looking hungry for action and the half was rounded off with another Uzoigwe break which put Smith in for his second score.

Laurentians came out with determination in the second half and threw everything they could at Malvern. The home defence was put under even more pressure by some strange decisions and Alex Thomas, incredulous at an unwarranted yellow card, was forced to take a 10 minute break, but the defence held firm.

The visitors' frustration got the better of them and there was a spate of scuffles. Their hooker went to the sin bin although he wasn't the worst culprit and Malvern were able to ease the pressure and Julien Davies scampered in to score.

Malvern gave all their replacements a run out as the match drew to a close, finishing with 14 on the field as Eastwood was awarded the third yellow of the day, but the first half display of vintage Malvern rugby ensured that the pressure was kept up on leaders Burton, who dropped their first point of the season at Kenilworth.