NINE points adrift with just three minutes to go, and the certainty of relegation if they left the field defeated, Bromsgrove staged the most astonishing come back ever seen at Finstall Park to steal a victory over Malvern by a single point.

The eleventh hour recovery was set up when lock Jon Taylor, rounding off a fine afternoon's work, retrieved the ball from a maul 20 metres from the Malvern line and drove a way through the central defence for a fine solo try close to the posts.

The conversion, quickly taken by Matt Birch, was a formality.

With the forwards striving for a hole in the tigerish Malvern defence, a penalty kick was awarded close to the touchline. Enter Birch. The kick found its mark and the final whistle went. Jubilation among the Bromsgrove fans and disbelief among the huge Malvern contingent.

From the outset, the match was physically vigorous with the visitors having a slight edge up front throughout.

Three players were sin binned - two from Malvern and one from Bromsgrove.

Bromsgrove took an early lead with a Birch penalty goal, soon matched by Malvern full back Andy Longley with a drop goal.

Malvern's grip on the game grew tighter, confining Bromsgrove to defend for long spells. Escapes were generally thwarted but, on one probe, Bromsgrove forwards sustained a recycling sequence to within ten metres of the visitors' line from where prop Alex Fellows broke clear and got a touch down in the corner to put the home side back in the lead. Another Longley penalty three minutes later put Malvern in front by a single point at half time.

Bromsgrove got the second half off to a lively start and soon retook the advantage when a huge Birch cross field bounced favourably for centre Ben Eason, injured during the move, who fed the ball out to Ian Bailey for a well taken try, converted by Birch for 15-9.

The home reshuffle allowed Mark Eastwood, winger Sam Hardcastle and Andy Longley in for three unconverted tries and a 24-15 lead with less than ten minutes to go.

Then came the fairy tale ending - Taylor's try converted by Birch, followed by the latter's penalty.

Report by TONY FINN.