A YEAR ago, Broad Street were faced with the same dilemma currently posing problems at Spring Lane.

MALVERN 0, BROAD STREET 40pts

They had lost the nucleus of a side which had taken them to the heady heights of National League rugby and were forced to start again with a young and largely untried side.

Having come down to Midlands Two West, they have transformed into a well-drilled unit playing simple, basic but very effective rugby,

Having gone 10-0 up in the first 15 minutes, Broad Street had to contend with a spirited Malvern fight-back, with Andy Burns and George Roberts putting up a feisty show of defiance and taking on the visiting backs. However, once again pressure was not turned into points as three kickable penalties, and the opportunity to come back to within one point, were missed.

Just before the break, a long, speculative kick into space from the Broad Street stand-off saw the ball sit up for the right-winger to take on the burst and run in from 40 metres out to put his side three scores ahead.

The second half saw more of the same. Malvern were sound at the line-out, with Chris Smith in outstanding form, but the scrums were messy affairs, most being turned and little quick, clean ball ensuing.

Malvern's failure with the boot to find touch enabled Broad Street to set up effective counter attacks, a catch and drive from a long return kick signalling try number three, whilst the fourth came from a counter move deep in the visitors half.

A final try was followed by a long-range dropped goal and a penalty to end a thoroughly torrid afternoon and the first shut-out for Malvern at home in many years.

Director of rugby David Robins was convinced that the Broad Street side were prime title contenders.

He said: "They were beautifully drilled and played to a simple but effective game plan. We just didn't have an answer and once again injuries have taken their toll on us. We have now played three of the top four in the last month and desperately need to get some of the walking wounded back to fitness to strengthen the squad. Today's game was a real drubbing - the worst in my 11 years at Malvern, but it would be unfair to blame the players, who played with spirit, especially the younger guys. We just have to hang in and claw our way slowly back up the table.

Tomorrow (Saturday) sees the Intermediate Cup visit of Rugby Lions, one division higher than Malvern and just relegated from National Division Three.