MALVERN took their first road trip of the season in Midlands Two West with some apprehension as Derby had strung together three straight wins.

However, Malvern held their nerve to overcome a spirited Derby side by a comfortable margin at the end of the day, which did not reflect the intensity of the game.

Playing in their new 'Blue' away kit for the first time, Malvern started the match playing up the slope on a dew soaked pitch. A dream start was made as from the opening kick off a strong run from Gaubert resulted in a penalty kick conversion from skipper Andy Longley.

Moments later a halfway line blindside break by Blakeway, saw Richards switch with wing Beech, who duly rounded the full back and galloped over near the posts. Longley converted and within eight minutes Malvern were 13-0 up, as another Derby infringement saw the Malvern captain slot yet another penalty.

Second row Jon Owen was stealing lineout ball from everywhere and hooker Dave Irish taking several balls against the head. The possession though was wasted and Derby without managing to create anything of merit with their own ball, fed on Malvern's mistakes through their own ambition.

Time and again, the slippery ball was put down or stolen and hacked on down the field, Derby fly half Ratcliffe on a high, slotted two penalties, and the open side Clarke pounced on another loose ball to score a try converted by Ratcliffe, to level the scores.

With their tails up, Derby tried to spoil more Malvern possession through a variety of tactics. Friction started, and soon it spilled over, as centre Humphries was sin binned for an innocuous looking incident. The pressure should have really told on Malvern, but the 14 men rallied and finished the half the stronger of the two sides.

Playing down the slope Malvern needed an early score. This came when another Blakeway blindside move saw Beech scurry over in the corner. The hammer blow came as Longley converted from the touch line.

Owen and new boy Short were working wonders in the line out, and the Malvern front row continued the pressure on their counterparts, ball was now coming freely available. Playing the percentages Malvern hemmed Derby into their own half with some good work by Jim Callow, a break on a catch and drive maul saw Withnall go close, but Mark Gaubert was on hand to use his sheer bulk to barge over for the try converted by Longley.

Gaining in confidence all of the time, a short driving game pattern was set as hat and Taylor took the game to the Derby forwards. This grip Malvern now had on the game saw Derby get more frustrated as they were hammered in under their own posts. Finally, over ambition under their posts saw a loose ball gathered by Richards who fed Humphries for the try. Longley converted.

After the game coach Rudi Smith said "It was a gutsy performance under a lot of pressure and bodes well for the heavy schedule of the coming month."

Tomorrow (Saturday) Malvern entertain Telford in the third round of the NPI Cup at Spring Lane, kick-off 3pm..