HAVING made the long trip to Bedfordshire, Malvern sufferd a 26-19 defeat at the hands of high-flying Ampthill in National Three Midlands.

The signs didn’t appear good when the home side won a line-out and put in two phases of forward play to draw in Malvern’s defence and send the left winger in for a third-minute try. The lead was increased by a 13th-minute penalty, but Malvern’s forwards were a tough proposition for the home pack.

This was illustrated when Malvern won a line-out deep in home territory and put in a controlled drive to the line for scrum-half Dave Hadkiss to touch down.

Nine minutes later, Malvern were level as Tom Beechey put over a penalty after Ampthill had conceded a further 10 metres for some back-chat to the referee.

Ampthill regained the lead with a penalty to touch setting up a drive from the line-out and a conversion to make it 15-8 at the break.

Ollie Meadows, who put in another solid performance at stand-off, made a break and Ampthill went over the top at the ruck. Beechey’s penalty narrowed the gap, before he put over another to bring Malvern within a point.

The home side then converted a penalty and a further Malvern transgression saw a seven-point lead restored.

Ampthill’s pack found a gap to score again, while Richard Fleming was sin binned. It looked as though Malvern would be denied a bonus point, but powerful number eight Jay Martin set up Beechey for a late try.