MALVERN knew that visitors Walsall would pose the toughest test of the season to date, so were delighted to pick up a 22-16 triumph.

Walsall dropped down from Midlands One last season and still boast the same team.

However, Malvern went on to the offensive from the off, driving the visiting pack back. The ball went out to Richard Fleming to make the break, and winger George Roberts was on hand to speed through for the opening try.

Two minutes later, Walsall pulled back three points when Malvern were offside and, not for the last time in the game, stand-off Matt Wood made sure of the kick.

Malvern continued to play most of the game in Walsall's half as the home forwards put a stranglehold on any possession the visitors gained, the returning flanker Phil Rawle always evident.

The hosts finally strung together a meaningful move and were awarded a penalty as the towering Chris Smith was barged in the lineout.

Watkins put the ball into touch six metres out. The catch-and-drive was duly employed and prop Shaun Lancett touched down for a 10-3 lead on the half-hour mark.

Walsall's busy young back line worked their way upfield from the restart and won a penalty for offside at the breakdown, Wood slotting the three points.

Malvern then put in a sustained effort until the break, Hooper fielding and dodging through to set veteran prop Steve Cooper on a charge. However, a subsequent knock-on in the Walsall 22 surrendered possession yet again, leaving the score 10-6 at half time.

Walsall came out with all guns blazing at the start of the second period, pushing Malvern back towards their own line.

Winning a scrum, they surprised all watching by driving the home scrum over the line for the number eight, Rod Dickson, to score and Wood to convert for the lead.

Malvern fought back but kept conceding penalties to put themselves under pressure and Fleming was sin-binned for a high tackle.

Wood made them pay by putting over his third penalty of the day and taking the visitors six points ahead.

Malvern's pack was continuing to dominate in the tight and at the throw-in, but poor kicking from hand allowed Walsall to stay in the game and run the ball back. After the forwards had put in the hard work with a 30-metre driving maul, a fluffed drop-goal attempt negated all their effort.

Then a simple penalty was missed after Walsall had deliberately pulled down the maul. As the game entered the last 10 minutes, Malvern put in wave after wave of attacks, Hobbs and Roberts making their presence felt.

The Walsall hooker was given a yellow card and Malvern sniffed the chance of a comeback.

A penalty to touch set up the catch-and-drive. The ball was released to Gareth Taylor and the powerful lock charged over to take the score back to 16-15 with eight minutes left.

The crowd's anguish was plain when the easy conversion was missed, and they were in for a nail-biting last few minutes.

Walsall desperately repelled all attacks as Malvern continued to press, until Hobbs made good use of his strength to make inroads.

Hooper ran up from full-back to take the ball and use his speed and agility to slice through the Walsall defence and score the winning try. Watkins added the extras just before the final whistle.