MALVERN staged another dominant performance in beating Cheltenham North 36-13 in Midlands Two West.

Having transferred from the South West Division, the visitors were an unknown quantity, but as expected they played a typically robust Gloucestershire-style game.

However, it was Malvern who set the pace from the off, putting in a couple of drives before George Roberts was stopped short just short of the line. The ball was recycled, though, for Shaun Lancett to crash over for the opening score.

Three minutes later, Malvern lost Gareth Taylor to the sin bin, although it appeared to be a case of mistaken identity. The lack of a man didn't slow down the Spring Lane side and a penalty saw James Hynes take the ball after the throw and put Lancett in for a second try.

From the restart, the crowd were dazzled by a move that saw the ball go through six pairs of hands until Dan Sparrey broke to set Roberts off on a powerful 30-metre run to score. Ted Lang added the conversion.

A long kick bounced kindly for Cheltenham North's skipper Kehoe who touched down for a try.

In the second-half, Cheltenham North came out with more purpose, winning a penalty for handling in the ruck, and fly-half Teague scored the three points.

However, any thoughts of a comeback were stifled when James Gwynne kicked ahead and Hynes was on hand to gather and feed Chris Hooper, who scored to give Lang another simple conversion.

With the Malvern front five having subdued their opposite numbers, Steve Cooper left the field and Matt Richardson, back from injury, came on.

Malvern were back on top, with Alex Wenden aiming true at the line-out and getting round the field well.

Richard Hobbs again impressed at blind-side flanker, while stand-in skipper Ryan Watkins looked confident as he engineered the midfield.

A Malvern penalty deep into North's half on the hour set up the line-out and the catch-and-drive move saw Lancett go over for his hat-trick.

Stewart Clarke replaced Hynes as Malvern sacrificed some bulk for mobility then North fell into more trouble as their open-side was red-carded for a punch.

With 10 minutes left, another fine maul took Malvern deep into the danger zone, the ball went to Fleming who deftly sent a backhand pass to Lang. The youngster burst through to score under the posts and convert his own try.

With two minutes left, North picked up a consolation try as they won a penalty and drove over the line from the throw.

However, Malvern still consolidated their top-of-the-table spot with a fifth consecutive win.