GALE force winds, driving rain and an unbeaten Midlands West Two Old Laurentians team faced Malvern at Rugby on Saturday.

Playing into the storm in the first half, Malvern weathered the initial onslaught from the OL's, only conceding a 12th minute penalty. With the home side strangely refusing to take advantage of the elements, Malvern spent long periods in the home half, plugging away relentlessly to expose their weaknesses.

With the returning George Blakeway directing operations at scrum half, the Malvern pack kept play tight. It was not a day for expansive rugby, the wind and slippery ball giving lead to countless knock-ons and dropped passes.

Malvern slowly began to dominate, Jon Owen having a gargantuan game in the line out, the back row taking the ball on relentlessly and Blakeway chipping away round the edges to create openings.

With Vince Hill back in the thick of things, the big OL's pack suddenly looked rather frail, Darren Handy subduing his opposite number at hooker, Cooper and Allies outgunning their props. On the stroke of half time, all the Malvern pressure paid off. Richards took on the defence, went to ground, Taylor and Gaubert drove forward and Malvern won the penalty in front of the posts, Longley making sure of the kick to put Malvern level.

The usually vocal Laurentian support became subdued at the restart, sensing that Malvern, the storm now behind them, were too strong and using the wind advantage intelligently, Longley kicked Malvern into attacking positions deep in home territory.

The continuous pressure meant that something was bound to give, and so it did, twice within five minutes to give Longley two more penalty scores. The Malvern skipper, elegant and composed as always, then lived up to his new nickname, "Spritzing" in the line, chipping ahead for Dave Beech to win a kick-and-chase to the line to touch down. Longley's 65th minute penalty put Malvern two clear scores ahead. With five minutes left, Malvern won a line out deep in OL's territory, Hill secured, the pack drove on and Steve Cooper peeled off to burst through and score in the corner. Longley's kick from the touch line went over via the post and the game was up for Laurentians, who had been unbeaten at home for a year. Their last conquerors? Malvern.

Director of Rugby David Robins was extremely pleased with his side's efforts, saying: "To come away and win against a previously unbeaten side, especially in such appalling conditions, shows great character. We were disciplined and adapted intelligently to the conditions, magnificent in the scrum and outstanding at the lineout. Jon Owen putting in another class performance. We proved that we have the ability to dig in and dog it out when conditions demand it."

Malvern resume the road to Twickenham tomorrow (Saturday) playing Handsworth away in the Intermediate Cup, kick-off 2.15pm.