KENILWORTH came to Spring Lane in cock-a-hoop mood for this Midlands One fixture after their 64-15 drubbing of Longton last week.

MALVERN 17pts, KENILWORTH 10pts

They started the game as though they were going to play an exhibition match, performing their entire repertoire of moves in a frantic first 10 minutes.

However, they were surprised by the fact that Malvern weren't prepared to be cannon fodder. After 14 minutes of Trojan defence, Malvern broke out of their own half for the first time to devastating effect as captain Andy Longley cut through on the short side to split a suddenly fragile Kenilworth defence, feeding Bo Kristoffersen for the opening score.

This galvanised the Hillsiders into taking control of the game, with Dave Merlin and Ian 'Beano' White, league debutantes at number eight and scrum half respectively, dictating play, Merlin repeatedly picked up from the base of the scrum, driving through and setting up a rucking platform. Steve Taylor and Anthony Garner on the flanks, joined in with gusto and hooker Dave Irish seemed to be everywhere. Props Steve Cooper and Sean Lancett were rock solid in the tight and Vince Hill and Jon Owen dominated the line-out as the Warwickshire side suddenly began to look vulnerable.

In the 27th minute the second score came, almost mirroring the first as Longley cut through again to feed Kristoffersen, who passed inside for White to score.

Kenilworth's Samoan international full back was shown the yellow card five minutes before the break and from the resultant penalty Malvern had a line-out five metres out. Hill rose majestically to take the ball, the pack drove to the line and the ball found Jenkin, who ghosted through to score and give Longley the easiest of conversions.

Kenilworth rallied in the second half, playing down the slope, but the Malvern defence were superb, pegging the visitors back and forcing them across the field with no chance of crossing the gain line. Taylor was at his piratical best, scavenging loose ball and generally frightening the children. However, a driving maul took Kenilworth close and sucked in the Malvern defence, stand-off James Cathcart scoring and converting midway through the half.

Malvern replied by pegging Kenilworth back in their half for 10 minutes, Lancett putting in some fine work and White busying himself and looking like a veteran. Cathcart scored a penalty but even when Gareth Richards, master of the big hit, joined K's hooker Southwell in the sin-bin, Malvern held fast to take the points.

Director of rugby David Robins said: "The first half was the best rugby I have seen a Malvern side play in my six years at Spring Lane. Kenilworth came here thinking they would have an easy win and our team said 'No' in an emphatic manner. The whole side put in a magnificent commitment, with Dave Merlin a bonus in both defence and attack, whilst Beano White's first league appearance was extremely assured, it also underlines the importance of our connection with Worcester University. Skipper Andy Longley was immense and inspired the lads.

"The rest of the league can now take notice that Malvern intend staying in Midlands Division One."