MALVERN'S revival took a backward step on Saturday as the Spring Lane outfit were pipped by a strange decision that disallowed a seemingly good match-winning try by Chris Ridgers.

HINCKLEY 20PTS, MALVERN 14PTS

With even the Hinckley faithful agreeing that there was nothing wrong with the score, the young centre was denied the chance of glory, having already scored all Malvern's other points on the day.

The game opened with Hinckley taking the lead with a 10th minute penalty and Ridgers, who took on the kicking duties for the injured Steve Ott, replied a few minutes later to even the scores.

With Stuart Lucas coming in for flu-hit Han at prop, the front five still held their own against the experienced Hinckley tight unit. Chris Smith's athleticism and agility at the line-out saw him win that particular battle, whilst Phil Rawle, moving to number eight for the absent Taylor, showed good ball-carrying skills.

The fourth-placed Hinckley side were always dangerous when given possession and their lively winger outpaced the Malvern defence to put them 10-3 up.

However, Ridgers replied with two further penalties for the teams to change ends only one point apart.

Although Hinckley went further ahead after a rolling maul produced a converted try 10 minutes into the second-half, it was Malvern who were turning up the pressure. Dave Wilkinson, debuting at centre, brought guile and organisation to the back-division and his clever angled-running allowed Ridgers to cut loose.

The young man-of-the-match showing fine handling skills. He twice shredded the Hinckley defence with his pace to go over the line, unfortunately only one of the scores being allowed. Liam Maloney, following in his father's footsteps, came on for his first team debut in the 73rd minute, another product of the Malvern youth development section.

Hinckley's last minute penalty gave them a victory which even they admitted wasn't deserved.

A disappointed David Robins, Malvern director of rugby, consoled his re-shaped team.

He said: "With two late injury call-offs, the jinx which has dogged our season struck again. We still performed well and were extremely unlucky with the disallowed score which could have turned our fortunes around. Chris Ridgers was in a class of his own and Wilkinson's experience will prove to be an enormous benefit as the season progresses."

Tomorrow (Saturday), Malvern travel to Barker's Butts (2.15) for a third meeting in a month with the Meriden-based side.