Although entering this game aware that relegation was still technically possible, Malvern contrived to beat themselves by needlessly conceding points to a lively Barkers Butts side which included three Cambridge University players and one from Durham University.

BARKERS BUTTS 48pts, MALVERN 27pts

A strong wind made conditions difficult for both sides, especially at the line-out, but the Coventry side adapted quicker and looked hungrier for the ball than Malvern. Kicking deep into Malvern territory, Butts pinned the visitors back and forced two penalties in the opening 10 minutes, both kicked by full back Wayne Holmes.

A charged down clearance then let in centre James Baker for a try which Holmes converted and Malvern were under severe pressure.

They answered by putting in a powerful and controlled drive upfield for Andy Longley to put over a penalty, then centres John Martin and Gareth Richards made ground for the forwards to take the ball on, Richards finishing off the move with a try on the half hour.

However, the Malvern momentum was swiftly halted as Butts drove downfield from the restart to set up a try for speedy winger Steve Heath, then did the same again as Malvern missed tackle after tackle for centre Paul Tyrell to open up a 23-8 lead.

Just before the break, Malvern hacked a loose ball upfield and Richards pulled back five points for them to turn round 10 points adrift.

With the wind now at their backs, Malvern should have been confident of overhauling the home side, but they had other ideas, stepping up a gear, led by their enormously influential Maori number 8 Avanuta Ruakere. From the restart they fed the ball out to Heath who left Malvern defenders flapping their arms in his wake as he cruised in for a fine score. He repeated the exercise a few minutes later after Ruakere had intercepted a Malvern pass.

The Malvern forwards started to put together some good drives, but indiscipline, especially talking back to the referee by players who should have known better, cost them the advantage more than once. It was disappointing to see this type of disruptive behaviour when more application to the job in hand could well have rescued the game.

Merlin started making some good breaks to set up repeated forward drives and Richards broke through to set up a Longley try and conversion, but againn Butts came back from the restart with stand off Mark Chapman-Smith scoring and Holmes converting.

Malvern fought their way back downfield and Richards claimed his third try of the day, Longley converting, but Barkers finished off with a Holmes penalty and a second try from Baker.

Malvern were left to reflect that sloppy play had gifted Barkers Butts four of their six tries, which represented the difference in points between the sides.

A far more disciplined performance will be needed at home to Banbury on Saturday in the final league match at Spring Lane.