MIDLANDS Two West champions Malvern travelled to a quagmire of a Hinckley pitch last Saturday and surrendered their unbeaten league record.

HINCKLEY 14pts, MALVERN 5pts

There was little between the two sides in the opening exchanges, the visitors holding the spirited young Leicestershire side at bay for the first quarter of the match. They went ahead with a penalty to put Malvern on the back foot, especially when Kristoffersen was sin-binned for ten minutes, but things really started to go wrong when a stream of injuries meant a massive re-shuffle of the side.

First, skipper Andy Longley succumbed to a hamstring injury after 25 minutes. Despite this body blow, Malvern fought back, the forwards driving upfield with Cooper and Vince Hill putting in telling yardage. The ball was swept across the back line for Ben Hughes to score in the corner for Malvern to take the lead.

Then wingers Rob Young picked up a shoulder injury, to be replaced by Lee Verney and yet another shuffling of options. Hinckley retook the lead with a penalty on the stroke of half time with Hughes off the field to receive treatment.

Immediately after the break Verney was injured and taken to hospital for treatment, Matt Williams joining on the flank and Dave Hill going to centre with Dave Beech now at full back. Hughes also succumbed to a knock for Ben Ash to come on.

Despite the disruption, the Malvern forwards battled gamely, taking the fight to the home side, Handy, Withnall and Taylor putting in some sterling work. The greasy ball meant that both sets of half-backs encountered some difficulties, the predatory back rows seizing on many mistakes, but play was evenly balanced for most of the half. Hinckley piled on the pressure and hooker Darren Handy sprinted 30 metres to take out their winger just as a try looked certain, but the pressure finally told after a five metre scrum set up a driving maul and try, followed soon after by a further penalty.

David Robins, director of Malvern rugby, said: "The lads are naturally disappointed to lose the unbeaten record so late in the season, but with so many players forced out of position by three unfortunate injuries so early in the match it was always going to be difficult.

"The intensity of rugby at this level means that injuries are inevitable, and we have played over 40 players in the first XV this season as a result. It is a tribute to the player's dedication that we have won the league despite the loss of so many key players."

Malvern first team have no game tomorrow (Saturday) allowing the players to travel to Port Talbot, where Bo Kristoffersen will be appearing for Denmark against the Welsh Districts.