MALVERN took advantage of Hinckley's postponed match to go two points clear at the top of the Midlands Two West league table with this hard-earned win at Spring Lane.

On a windy day and a muddy pitch the conditions were not ideal for running rugby and Sutton adapted more quickly to the weather, playing it close. Their ruck-and-kick tactics put Malvern on the back foot in the first half when playing up the slope and against the stiff south-westerly breeze.

A first minute penalty by Proctor and a 12th minute try by Lockley saw Malvern in the unusual position of being more than one score down at 'Fortress Spring Lane'. The home side responded, driving up field and taking hold of the game, captain Longley putting over the resultant penalty on the quarter-hour.

Three minutes later, the Malvern skipper, a beacon of class, chipped ahead and thoroughbred winger Dave Beech kicked on and won the chase to the line to put Malvern level, Longley's conversion giving them the lead.

Sutton, like every team playing against the title favourites, continued to raise their game by playing simple yet effective rugby, again putting the Malvern defence under pressure, proctor slotting over a second penalty.

Affronted, Malvern's forwards drove upfield and a minute before the break Longley joined in the line on the narrow side to put Beech, who is having an excellent season, in for his second try.

As the try was being scored, an unprovoked attack took place on Vince Hill, who then had to leave the field with a facial injury.

The rough stuff continued for a while after the break, Cooper being sin-binned with the referee not spotting the skulduggery perpetrated by some Sutton players. However, malvern proved that they can triumph over adversity and buckled down to their task, Longley slotting over two more penalties.

In a 15 minute period around the hour mark, Malvern made sure of the two points in what had been a rather lacklustre performance. The game's Champagne Moment came when winger Jim Callow collected the ball just inside the Sutton half, accelerated and swerved his way at top speed past six trailing defenders for one of the finest tries ever seen at Spring Lane.

Longley's 65th minute penalty put the game beyond doubt, but still Sutton showed their resolve. As Malvern relaxed the Warwickshire side drove in hard, forcing errors and Proctor scored his second try. Malvern ended the game on the attack, a gazelle-like dash for the line by Jon Owen just being foiled as he put a foot in touch whilst going over to ground the ball.

Malvern Director of Rugby David Robins was pleased with the two points, but not his side's tactics. "We are known for our cavalier style of rugby. However, the players must learn to adapt to the conditions and not play a dry-ball game on wet, muddy pitches. Sutton adapted to the pitch far better than us, with the result that we made hard work of the victory. That aside, Jim Callow's try alone was worth watching time and again, being the finest individual effort I have seen by a winger.

"We now go into a four game sequence before Christmas against sides in the top half of the table, plus a cup game at Lutterworth, which will be a strong examination of our capabilities."

Tomorrow (Saturday) Malvern visit local rivals Bromsgrove for a Midlands Two West league game, kick-off 2.15pm.