MALVERN we left still on the periphery of possible relegation after conceding a game they could have won, but for two dreadful decisions and two missed chances.

DUNSTABLIANS 35pts, MALVERN 22pts

The visitors came out smoking, Lancett and Pemble making ground from the off as the pack tore into a shaken Dunstablians' eight. Stand off Dave King dummied his way through for a second minute score and Richard Fleming converted and the pack then carried on their fine work, carrying the ball to the home forwards and using the pick and drive effectively.

Dunstablians conceded penalties with several players going over the top or handling in the ruck as Vince Hill repeatedly led the charge. When Dunstablians did get the ball, their backs looked very incisive, but Malvern's smother defence kept them at bay.

Dave Hill made a break and had players available on the overlap but went to ground instead, and George Blakeway was tackled a foot short of the line with Ridley available. Dunstablians had got on the scoreboard and the two let-offs were followed by a score to take the lead as the D's centre clearly knocked on whilst trying to intercept a pass and the counter move saw the dangerous Bradshaw score under the posts for a simple conversion. It appeared that the referee was the only man at the game who had not seen the knock-on!

This gave the Bedfordshire side some heart and they took play back to Malvern's 22-metre area. The referee then added to Malvern's woes with a strange interpretation of the lineout laws, giving two penalties, then a penalty try to Dunstablians as his decision-making became inconsistent. Thus the half ended with Malvern 17-7 down when they should have been 29-3 up.

Malvern came out for the second period revved up and forced a penalty, which Fleming slotted over. The forwards continued to dominate open play, although D's held their own in the set scrums. Students Chris Pemble and Nick Smith caught the eye repeatedly, whilst standoff Dave King had his best game so far, causing continual problems in midfield, whilst Mark Eastwood used his strength to hit the gain line and suck in the home defence.

In the 55h minute Richard Fleming joined the line and used his long stride to carve through the home defence to score under the posts and convert, and Malvern were level.

However, Dunstablians hit back with a penalty, then their mobile number eight moved the ball to their backs who struck at speed to put Bradshaw in again, White converting. Malvern fought back as the game took on a cup-tie like urgency and King once again fooled the opposition with a dummy move to put winger Rob Young in for a try. Dunstablians countered again and again, their centres finally making the break for Bradshaw's final try, then rounding off the scoring with a penalty.

With the farcical relegation issue still unresolved, Malvern now have to win their last two games and hope the RFU make some sense out of the situation. The Dunstablians chairman went on record after the game to state that Malvern were the best side, apart from leaders Longton, to play them this season. However, such fine sentiments don't erase the pain of defeat and the players can feel justifiably wronged by poor refereeing, which contributed to the defeat. However, as coach Andy Cushing said: "We also failed to bury them in the first half and paid the price. Having said that, the whole team performance was gritty and determined, with the positive spirit amongst the players very evident. If they carry that with them, they should win the last two games."

Director of rugby David Robins agreed saying: "The students from UCW have gelled well with the old heads in the side and have proved worthy of selection. Chris Pemble, the hooker, was magnificent today and Nick Smith was everywhere. Their energy transfers to the rest of the side, and coupled with the wily old heads like Vince Hill, Andy Ridley and Steve Cooper, the transitional phase we are in shows great promise for the future. There are, of course, still some doubters around the club who are slow to embrace necessary change. No player can go on forever, especially at this level, which some of our supporters have been unwilling to admit. Whilst some of the students will eventually move away, there is also the likelihood that many will stay in the area. With the additional feed through from our youth section I feel we are well placed for the future."

When questioned about possible relegation, Robins said, "It would hurt, obviously, especially if we are well above the bottom three. However, if you look at Hinckley, they dropped down from the Nationals to Midlands Two and were able to rebuild and come back to this league with a good young side that will mature well. There is no reason why, if the worst happens, we can't do the same. Having said that. The people who really matter at Malvern RFC - the players - are positive about winning the last two games and securing a place just below mid table. Whatever else happens is out of our hands, so we can't dwell on that."

This week Malvern have a friendly against Old Patesians at Cheltenham before the final home league match against Barkers Butts. The North Midlands Cup Semi-final at Luctonians is on April 6.