MALVERN claimed their second double of the season at Kenilworth on Saturday, ensuring that their Warwickshire opponents were again deprived of a win bonus.

KENILWORTH 15pts, MALVERN 21pts

The home chairman of rugby was defiant after the match, claiming that they never lost a match, just beat themselves occasionally! Amateur Malvern have obviously helped soften the blow by cutting the amounts paid out to the losing players on two occasions.

Jovial verbal sparring aside, Malvern started with purpose, Andy Longley's early penalty putting Malvern deep into the home half and the forwards going on a well-controlled driving maul to win a further penalty. Longley obliged, but Malvern then conspired to make things difficult for themselves by fumbling the kick off and conceding possession to the home side, full back Burtscoring and stand off James Cathcart converting.

Cathcart, known to be the Kenilworth lynchpin was given close attention by a voracious Malvern back row, Thomas appearing like a recurrent nightmare in front of him. Dave Merlin and Paul Hart completed a back row full of hunger and aggression to unsettle the home midfield as Malvern slowly took control of the game.

Midway through the half Malvern were on the rampage, the referee signalled advantage as Kenilworth infringed, then blew for the penalty as a puzzled George Blakeway crossed the line. Longley took the three points offered instead of the seven which were deserved and Malvern looked the stronger at the end of the first session despite a long-range penalty from Cathcart.

With two home players sin-binned following desperate defence in the face of Malvern domination, Malvern determined to make the advantage tell and Dave Merlin led the drive over the line to retake the lead in the 43rd minute, Longley converting. Kenilworth's tricky backs put in some good runs following a brief rally by their pack, but Malvern's defence held firm and the Hillsider's pack answered with more fiery drives.

Controlled play deep in the Kenilworth half ended with a deserved try on the hour from open side flanker Alex Thomas. Vince Hill was yellow-carded for a first offence and no others to be taken into consideration, Kenilworth stretching the Malvern defence, a deft chip ahead being grounded by winger Middleton, Beech's dash putting Cathcart off his stride on the conversion attempt.

Longley's majestic clearance kicking frustrated Kenilworth's limited game plan time after time and he closed proceedings with a final penalty.

Director of Rugby David Robins praised his side saying: "A truly magnificent performance for the second double of the season, which is a huge bonus. Our back row kept us alive throughout the game, with Dave Merlin's experience paramount to our success and Alex Thomas and Paul Hart hungry for the fray. Our backs defended well all afternoon and the skipper was immaculate as always.

"Young Matt Williams again excelled in the line out and the pack scrummaged well against a quality front five. I am happy that we are sending out signals that Malvern mean business and are looking for a top half finish in our first season at this level."

Malvern have a friendly on January 19 followed by a home league game against Camp Hill on January 26.