WORCESTER RFC celebrated a narrow win over nearest rivals Malvern RFC on Saturday as they avenged the dramatic defeat in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

Worcester held on to secure a 24-20 win at Spring Lane which moved them to within a point of Malvern in seventh in the Regional 2 West Midlands table. 

It was already a sweet victory for the visitors against their local rivals, but it was made that bit sweeter after what happened back in November.

Two monster penalties from Dan Batty in the final 10 minutes secured a dramatic 16-12 victory for the Vern on that day but it was roles reversed last weekend as Worcester came out the other end of a thriller to take the spoils.

Malvern lost for a fifth successive league game but did take a losing bonus-point from the clash to stay ahead of Worcester in the table. 

Both sides have two games left in the 2022/23 season. Worcester welcome Crewe and Nantwich on Saturday before a trip to Hereford wraps up the season for Jonny Arr's men.

Malvern host champions Old Halesonians this weekend before their campaign concludes with a game vs relegated Droitwich on the final day. 

Elsewhere in the division last weekend, Evesham were unable to play their game with high-flying Walsall due to injuries and illness. 

Droitwich were thumped on the road at Whitchurch 81-5, whilst Hereford suffered a 34-12 defeat at Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Wolverhampton beat Crewe and Nantwich 35-24 and Old Halesonians won their 18th game in a row to secure the title after a 37-17 victory at home to Ludlow.