DIRECTOR of rugby David Robins was extremely disappointed at the missed chance of Midlands One points when Malvern visited second from bottom Banbury on Saturday.

BANBURY 17pts, MALVERN 12pts

Robins said: "We knew this game was a potential banana skin and we still slipped up. There was a lack of effort and no real focus in some crucial areas, with too many poor first tackles and a lack of killer instinct. We must learn to kill off the weaker sides at this level - they are fighting for survival, so must be hit early on.

"We didn't oppose their only tactic, the driving maul, and when we eventually took the lead we passed up on the opportunity to kill them off, losing it in injury time, albeit to a controversial try. However, we should have had the game well won by then."

On a pitch made for Malvern's style of rugby they never really got out of first gear, allowing the home side to dictate play for long periods.

The Bulls lived up to their nickname, driving forward and playing a mauling game deep in the Malvern half but after 10 minutes of soaking up pressure Malvern broke out of defence courtesy of a 50 metre clearance by Fleming, which forced a line-out in their favour, Blakeway switched the play and Longley cut through a woeful defence to open the scoring.

After some scrappy play, with poor tackling from both teams, Banbury drove downfield and a gap opened up for hooker Brown to scramble through to score.

After the previous week's coup at Longton, Malvern came down a level and played well below their potential. On 34 minutes, with Banbury again close to the Malvern line courtesy of some poor tackling and needless penalties, scrum half Hurst nipped through a dozing defence to stretch Banbury's lead and leave Malvern with it all to do in the second period.

After the break Malvern came out with all guns firing and five minutes of sustained pressure told as Blakeway battered his way over to score, Longley converting. However, instead of capitalising on the lead as Banbury heads went down and their support was silenced, play disintegrated and the sizeable crowd were treated to a display on totally uncoordinated rugby from both sides.

A try was disallowed, adding to the frustration, and Malvern continued to press in vain. As the match neared its end, the Bulls' tails went up and a prolonged onslaught was made on the Malvern line.

Three minutes into injury time a crossfield kick was touched down by Vickers, the home touch judge failing to signal that his foot had left an imprint well out of play. Gill converted, and although Malvern pressed for the further four minutes of stoppage time allotted, they were left to regret their missed opportunity.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Malvern have a friendly at home against Burton on Trent.

Burton were relegated from Midlands One last season, changing places with Malvern, so will be out to prove a point. Kick off at Spring Lane is at 2.30pm.

The following Saturday (December 22) Malvern end the first half of the Midlands One programme at home to Barkers Butts from Coventry, needing to win to stay away from the lower end of the table.