MALVERN halted their sequence of away Midlands One defeats in the gloom and mud of Kenilworth on Saturday.

KENILWORTH 5pts, MALVERN 26pts

A dour battle up front, with the Warwickshire side taking advantage of "poor" refereeing, kept the points-hungry Malvern side at bay for nearly half an hour.

Malvern clearly had the higher skill levels of the two sides, Twickenham veterans Ridley and Richards imprinting themselves with some big hits, whilst Richard Wylde at full back made some telling runs to set up a platform for the forwards.

Only some handling errors caused by the greasy conditions delayed the inevitable, the omens looking good as the Malvern pack went on a 40 metre controlled pick and drive move. Kenilworth dropped the scrum, Malvern's penalty went wide, but Shawn Lancett used his height to block the drop out, Richards switched to the narrow channel and Rob Young strode through to score in the 25th minute.

Kenilworth responded with a penalty to the Malvern 22 metre line, a driving maul giving them a score in the corner. The half ended with pressure from the Kenilworth side being repelled with clearances from Richards and Wylde.

Five minutes into the second period Malvern stepped up a gear, Malvern's jumpers Chris Smith and Vince Hill causing havoc on the home throw in. Securing a Kenilworth ball in the 57th minute, a chip ahead saw left-winger Duncan Billane chasing through to pounce as Kenilworth fumbled. Sam Hardcastle, who had a superb game under trying circumstances, put over the conversion and Malvern were in control.

Marc Gaubert came on for Dave Hill to add some bulk in the back row and revelled in the conditions.

As Malvern camped in the last Kenilworth third of the pitch, the ball was recycled as the backs probed for an opening, Gareth Richards breaking through for a 65th minute try, Hardcastle converting.

James Daniell replaced Tim Allies at prop and within minutes was driven over the line following a Vesuvian five-minute spell but desperate Kenilworth defending held the ball up. From the five metre scrum five minutes from the final whistle, Malvern controlled the shove and Gaubert picked up from the back to hurtle over the line and score, Hardcastle converting from out wide.

Skipper Vince Hill was pleased with the performance and said: "We proved that we could dog it out under severe pressure and take charge. This performance should dispel the myth that we don't travel well. We now face leaders Longton with increasing confidence in our own abilities, individually and collectively."

Director of rugby David Robins agreed, although was scathing about the match official. Robins said: "I have never seen such poor control at this level. The scrum half was constantly offside and interfering with play before the ball was out of the scrum, the tight head was packing down illegally all afternoon and our line-out was constantly a danger zone with our jumpers being pulled down. Given these factors we played exceptionally well in dark and muddy conditions. Sam Hardcastle played out of his skin and the introduction of Gaubert in the second half added weight to help steady the scrum."

Malvern go head to head with unbeaten league leaders Longton this Saturday. Having done the double over the Potteries side last season and being the only team to beat them four years ago when they were promoted, Malvern have a 100 per cent record which they are keen to maintain.

Malvern are looking to test the leaders with a good performance tomorrow (Saturday) at Spring Lane (kick off 2.30pm).