BROMSGROVE RFC First XV turned on the style to notch up a record victory over Malvern at Finstall Park.

Dean Ball's side scored 36 unanswered points to come from 12-7 down to win 44-12 in their best performance of the season.

But the match started with Malvern seizing the initiative and scoring an early unconverted try in the corner.

Bromsgrove responded with sustained pressure through line outs close to the visitors' try line. Time and again Malvern gave away penalties in a desperate attempt to keep Town out and they finally succumbed to a rolling maul controlled by Richard Arnold who emerged try scorer. James Lloyd-Jones converted.

Malvern hit back when their centres combined to break through Bromsgrove's defence and score under the posts to lead 12-7. Knowing they were up against it the home side began to exert considerable pressure on their rivals. Malvern defended fiercely but gave away penalties, two of which were kicked to see Bromsgrove take the lead 13-12.

Rampaging

At this point the match looked like it would go to the wire until Town extended their lead. Andy Bridge's pass put a rampaging Steve Phillips clear and the 19-stone prop sprinted 45 yards for a memorable try.

The second half was all Bromsgrove with centre Dave Wilkinson involved in three of their four tries. The first came after a clever kick from Copson forced Malvern to put the ball into touch. Richard Stockholm took a quick throw-in to Lloyd-Jones and Stockholm was on hand to take the return pass and score in the corner.

Bromsgrove's pack were now exerting complete dominance, particularly in the line-out where Jon Taylor and Tom Churchill excelled.

The next try came from a line out ball taken cleanly by Churchill. The pack then mauled open and then blind to take the ball over. Skipper Dave Clark was the scorer, taking the lead to 32-12.

Wilkinson later made a superb break, passing to Richard Trigg whose kick across field was fumbled and Lloyd-Jones took advantage to score.

Infringements and foul play then took over with four yellow cards handed out, one each for Town's Churchill and Taylor, as the referee attempted to restore order.

This did not prevent Bromsgrove from adding to their total when Lee Wainwright passed quickly to Wilkinson who played in Carl Bradley and he hit the line at pace to score under the posts.

Captain Dave Clark was named man of the match by coach Dean Ball. Clark received £100 and a bottle of champagne from sponsors.

Elsewhere, Bromsgrove Seconds lost the reverse fixture 38-0. The Fourths lost 15-7 at Malvern.

BROMSGROVE

Lloyd-Jones, Stockholm, Wainwright, Wilkinson, Trigg, Malin, Copson, Phillips, Arnold, Cornelius, Taylor, Churchill, Clark, Bridge, Baxter.