MALVERN claimed a 41-7 National Three Midlands bonus-point victory over bottom-placed Bedford Athletic at Spring Lane.

With former Scotland under 21 centre Andy Hadden making his debut and James Aston partnering him, the back line had a new-look.

From the kick-off, Malvern took the game to Bedford, putting them under immediate pressure. Repeat offending at five-metre scrums saw the Bedford number eight sin-binned, while another infringement at the next set-piece saw Malvern awarded a penalty try, which full-back Richard Fleming converted.

Malvern number eight Jay Martin was the chief beneficiary of the home team’s forward dominance, bagging a hat-trick of tries in the opening 32 minutes.

One minute into the second-half, a Malvern kick was fumbled and Sean Robinson was on hand to gather and run in from 30 metres to set up a Hadden conversion.

Wing Tom Beechey fielded a Bedford kick on the hour mark and went on a mazy 70-metre run across the field for a brilliant solo try. Bedford’s speedy left winger Joe Hunt ran in a consolation try, but the Malvern forwards had the final say with a catch-and-drive score for skipper Phil Rawle.