MALVERN showed that the long Christmas break had not blunted their form as they defeated a competent Lichf-ield side 37-17 at Spring Lane.

Victory over the Staffor-dshire side meant that Malv-ern held on to top spot in Midlands Two West.

Director of rugby David Robins said: "It was exactly the start we wanted for the New Year, having had a close run draw at Lichfield earlier in the season.

"Although the two packs were well matched in the scrum, we ground away and shaded it in the loose play and the line-out and set our backs away time after time."

Malvern opened the scoring in the second minute when a penalty took them within five metres of the Lichfield line before the ball was spun out to young centre Ted Lang to cross.

The visitors came back strongly and scored a converted try to give them the lead.

Despite some good pressure from the Spring Lane players, Lichfield stretched their lead when the scrum-half crossed.

Malvern's forwards then started to dominate the loose play and number eight Owen Jones crashed over and fly-half Adam Dixon converted the try.

Debutant Ryan Henshaw put Malvern further ahead as he charged over from 30 metres.

Dixon again added the extras.

Skipper Ryan Watkins went over just before the break to give the hosts a 24-10 lead.

After the interval full-back Chris Hooper linked up with Richard Fleming to get a try of his own.

The visitors grabbed a 60th-minute converted try, before a Dixon penalty five minutes later killed the game off.

This Saturday, Malvern face Bromsgrove in the North Midlands Cup.