PLUCKY Malvern were torn apart 56-5 by Rugby Lions as they crashed out of the Powergen Intermediate Cup in the second round.

The Spring Lane side's injury worries also deepened as Chris Smith and Alex Thomas left early.

Rugby Lions, who played against Worcester in the national leagues just five years ago, fielded a mixture of semi-professional experience and youth.

The visitors opened the scoring after seven minutes and increased their advantage 13 minutes later.

Disaster struck for Malvern mid-way through the first-half as line-out specialist Smith went off with suspected broken bones in his foot.

Missing his height, the hosts were short of options, and Rugby soon increased their tally to 22-0.

Malvern's spirit showed when a patient build-up went through five phases until Aidan Ruddock charged through to touch down.

Misfortune struck again after the break as Thomas suffered a knee injury, forcing Phil Snare on as a sub, despite nursing a back injury.

Rugby moved up a gear as the gap in league status began to show.

Three more scores by the hour mark put the Lions comfortably out of sight before a skirmish saw the referee show red to Malvern skipper Matt Richardson.

Down to 14 men, Malvern limited further damage to two tries.

Director of rugby, David Robins, said: "We again showed a lot of spirit against a well-drilled side which is destined for bigger things.

"My major worry is, that having already been badly hit by injuries, we have lost two extremely important squad members in Chris Smith and Alex Thomas."