IT took Malvern three missed opportunities and almost 20 minutes to get into their stride at Spring Lane against bottom club Barkers Butts.

MALVERN 85pts, BARKERS BUTTS 5pts

However, once prop Shaun Lancett's opener had gone on the scoreboard, the tone was set. Barkers Butts pulled back a penalty from stand off Warwood, but a Paul Jenkin intercept sent Sam Hardcastle away down the wing for his first of the afternoon on 26 minutes, Andy Longley converting. Malvern were throwing the ball around with confidence, the backs secure in the knowledge that the forwards had stamped their authority on the tight game up front. Hooker Chris Pemble was a bundle of energy all afternoon whilst props Cooper and Lancett relished the rampaging style of play, repeatedly taking the ball forward. Hill and Chris Smith dominated the line-out and the back row was a blur of activity, veteran Andy Ridley showing he is every bit as fit as predatory flankers Nick Smith and Tom Annandale.

With scrum half George Blakeway directing operations with aplomb behind the scrum, Aussie number 10 Dave King made the most of the service he was getting. A beautiful loop move saw him receive his own pass to create the extra man; Longley hit the line at speed and passed inside for Annandale to go over. After 33 minutes, the game was already won, but Malvern did not relent. Four minutes later, King broke through the defence and scored a solo effort, Longley again converting. Barkers intercepted a Malvern pass and broke up field for winger Manning to score on the stroke of half time, but Malvern turned round 31-8 up.

The second half proved even more eventful. From a line out, the highly impressive Mark Eastwood made ground, taking defenders with him and the ball was fed to Hardcastle, who in turn found Jenkin outside him to run in a 43rd minute try. 3 minutes later, the ball sped across for Hardcastle to score in the corner, Longley putting over the conversion. Gaubert came on for Ridley and announced his presence to the Barkers Butts pack, setting up the ball which again found Hardcastle scoring out wide. Longley again obliged, and two minutes later an action replay saw the double act put another 7 points on the board. Lancett earned himself 10 minutes in the sin bin for a bit of self-imposed retribution, but losing a man made little difference. King stole a Barkers ball and chipped ahead to follow up and score, Longley converting once more. From a lineout Gareth Richards, on for Jenkin, broke to feed Rob young for his second of the day, Longley's kick taking the score over the 70 mark. Barkers Butts, to their credit, never gave up even though they were being totally outclassed and Annandale had to do some good work to put a halt to a threatening move. The match was rounded off with two further tries from Sam Hardcastle, who had an afternoon to remember, with Longley finishing the day with his tenth conversion.

With Hinckley losing at Luctonians and Walsall going down to Bromsgrove, Malvern climbed a place nearer safety. However, the final match against Bromsgrove at Finstall Park is a must-win, because as coach Andy Cushing said: "We can't rely on Luctonians doing our work for us against Walsall, and we still have a negative points difference. The players hold the destiny of the club in their own hands, so the Bromsgrove game is the biggest of the season."

On Sunday Malvern are defending the North Midlands Cup away to Luctonians, kick off 2.30pm. Although both teams have the league uppermost in mind, with Lucs going for a play-off place, the match will be keenly contested.

"Luctonians start as favourites, but Malvern will not surrender the cup easily", said Director of Rugby form Australia, where he is on business. "There is keen local rivalry plus a lot of pride at stake, so we look for plenty of travelling support from Malvern to match the vocal Mortimer park crowd."