ON the road for the second week running, a changed Malvern side took on a competitive South Leicester team renowned for their forwards-based play, but slipped to a 16-13 National Three Midlands defeat.

However, it was the Spring Lane side that took a first-minute lead after Gareth Taylor had forced the home team into conceding a penalty that was converted by Adam Dixon.

With Malvern giving as good as they got in the scrums, despite an enormous weight disadvantage, they put the hosts under considerable pressure in the loose as well, driving to the home line and winning a penalty.

Opting for the scrum, a controlled drive saw skipper Phil Rawle touch down and Dixon’s conversion from out wide gave them a 10-point lead in as many minutes.

This proved to be a wake-up call for South Leicester, who pulled back a penalty then started to use their forwards to better advantage.

A powerful maul took them to the Malvern line, before they popped the ball to stand-off Lord, who dived over before converting his try to level the scores.

A sustained period of play in the home 22 saw Malvern force another penalty and Dixon split the posts.

After the break, South Leicester came out using their big guns, with number eight Maxxi Castrogiovanni, brother of Leicester Tigers prop Martin, causing some concern.

A further Lord penalty drew the home team level again and Malvern were penned in their own half for most of the second session.

South Leicester kept up a barrage of attacks that forced Malvern onto the back foot and unable to clear their lines as the game entered the final quarter.

A penalty with 10 minutes left saw Lord nudge the home team into the lead, while Malvern, having lost Dixon’s kicking skills to injury, were unable to put over either of two attempts in the dying moments, which would have at least ensured a share of the points.