HIGH-FLYING Kenilworth were brought down to earth by a re-invigorated Malvern Rugby Club who clinched a 17-10 win in Midlands One.

Kenilworth came to Spring Lane in confident mood following a 64-15 drubbing of Longton last week which had put them second in the league.

And they started the game as though they were going to play an exhibition match, performing their entire repertoire of moves from tight driving mauls to crash balls by the centres and long kicks from the stand-off in a frantic first 10 minutes.

However, they seemed surprised that Malvern weren't prepared to be canon 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 through to Bo Kristoffersen for the opening score.

This galvanised the Hillsiders into taking control of the game, with Dave Merlin and Ian White, league debutants 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 all too vulnerable.

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

Malvern tightened their grip and Kenilworth's discipline went to pieces, the inevitable flurry of handbags being introduced to try to upset Malvern's rhythm. But the home side were having none of it, contesting everything with grit and determination.

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 line. Taylor was at his 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 firm to take the points.

Director of rugby David Robins was full of praise for his side. "That was the best rugby I have seen a Malvern side play in my six years at Spring Lane," he said.

"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, while 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 One, having set our marker today."

Luctonians, however, went down 10-0 at Leicester Lions while Hereford's poor season continued with a 20-12 home defeat to Walsall.