BURTON hadn't been beaten at home in the league for over two years and were top of Midlands Two West going into this must-win match for Malvern.

BURTON 12pts, MALVERN 18pts

The Brewers' reputation was for expansive rugby, their speedy wingers known to thrive on open play. With Malvern accustomed to playing a similar game, tactics were sure to decide the outcome at the history-steeped Peel Croft, home to Burton for 130 years.

With a large and voluble crowd urging the home side on and a penalty from scrum half Banton in the first minute putting them into the lead, Burton looked hungry for action.

The Malvern defence knew they would have to soak up lots of pressure and so it proved. Andy Longley pulled back a penalty in the fifth minute and the visitors busily set about their task with quiet efficiency. The Malvern pack showed their determination early on, nullifying Burton's efforts in the set pieces and the midfield duo of Julien Davies and Dave King making the plays, bringing in the powerhouse running of Mark Eastwood in the centre to suck in Burton's defence and giving Malvern plenty of second phase options.

Each time Burton attacked the back row snuffed out any chance of good ball, Nick Smith playing a monumental game against many of his old colleagues from Staffs Colts days and Alex Thomas putting in some big hits to upset Burton's rhythm.

The Malvern packed rumbled on, Matt Richardson's quiet leadership and Shaun Lancett's fire ably matched by the 'grunt' of locks Vince Hill and John Drage, whilst Aidan Ruddock, out of position at flanker, again proved himself equal to any task he is asked to perform.

Longley put Malvern ahead on the quarter hour, which signalled another surge from the home team, but each time they moved the ball out to their much-vaunted backs, there was a Malvern shirt in evidence to snuff out the danger, the sight of the half being a tackle from the diminutive Nick Major which brought down his bulky opposite number.

Burton finally won an equalising penalty, but Malvern continued to increase their domination, especially in the tight, hooker Alex Wenden growing in confidence all the time at the support he was given in the 'armchair'. Longley again potted three points to put Malvern ahead once more, which signalled another onslaught from Burton over a ten-minute spell.

Wingers Steve Ott and Rob Young were there when the ball eventually got out to Burton's nippy wingers, with the back row speed merchants covering acres of ground in support. It took until well into injury time for the home side to win an equalising penalty, which also resulted in King being sent for a rest in the sin-bin, but at half time the home support was visibly worried about their proud record.

The second half opened with Malvern, sensing that they could take the spoils, running all the plays. Davies was at his feisty best; King, back on the field, continually fed Eastwood whose damaging, barrelling runs gained yards and pulled in two or three defenders each time for the forwards to set up ruck after ruck.

Longley put over another inevitable penalty to regain the lead, and every time Burton, reduced to speculative kicks upfield, went on the chase, the full back gave a masterclass in kicking from hand to pin them back in their own half.

Meanwhile, the Malvern front five had assumed dominance, so to prove the point the tireless Vince Hill made way for the colossus masquerading as James Hynes, Ruddock moving to second row and Smith to flanker to accommodate the extra weight. Afterwards, the Burton president was heard to remark that his side had never been shoved around in such fashion in his memory.

With Malvern going forward, more penalties were almost inevitable and Longley obliged once more. Eastwood, having the time of his life, continued to take on the Burton defence, Lancett was in his element in the close play and the Burton supporters were starting to concede that even their driving mauls were proving ineffective as frustration and niggles started to show from their side.

Longley kept Burton pegged back in the last third of the field, but with 10 minutes left they desperately threw everything they had and won another penalty to bring them to within three points.

Malvern soaked it all up and countered, probing at the Trentsiders' defence until another penalty from Longley in the 73rd minute restored the six-point lead.

A final surge from Burton saw them given several penalties on the trot, but either tactical unawareness or lack of self belief saw them squander their chances as the game went into a long injury time period and Malvern, finally, could celebrate a hard-earned but deserved win to take over top spot.

The jubilant dressing room scenes, led by a battle-scarred Shaun Lancett, a large gash in his forehead of minor importance, typified the closeness and spirit of this year's Malvern vintage.