MALVERN RFC players have pledged themselves to an ethic of excellence.

It may not always work, and until last Saturday, by their own admission, they hadn't reached their self-set standards. However, it was always going to happen, and at Spring Lane, with just about a minute on the clock, one had to feel sorry for the team at the other end of the Malvern steamroller.

From the kick off, Malvern won a penalty, skipper Longley put the ball into the Lichfield 22 area and from the line out the ball was spun to Mark Humphreys, who broke down the ragged Lichfield defence to feed Longley, who put winger Dave Beech in for the opening score.

Receiving the restart kick cleanly, Malvern powered up field, a bewildering choreograph of inter-passing and recycling by at least nine players ending with a rejuvenated Paul Hart flopping over for the second try after only three minutes of play. Longley's kick was true, Lichfield heads dropped.

The ex-National League side rallied briefly, sortied into the Malvern half, failed to achieve advantaged Dan Sparrey cleared the lines to set up a counter attack. Another Lichfield attack was stifled, ending with some expressions of frustration, referee Dave Meek having to bely his name by having stern word with Steve Cooper and Vince Macklin.

Longley's penalty soon afterwards gave Malvern the cushion they were after, and gave the signal for the Hillmen to cut loose. Stealing Lichfield ball, Malvern fed Dave Beech, who left the defence split for Danish International Bo Kristoffersen to cruise in for a try. From the restart Malvern let No 8 Gaubert loose, who promptly 'lomued' the winger, the elegant Steve Taylor set up the second phase and Darren Handy and Timmy Allies drove deep into enemy territory. Handy took a strike against the head to crown his immaculate throwing in, the ball flew to Beech - 25-0 before the half hour.

Beech then set up a simple try for Hart, Longley converted and the crowd were breathless. An all-new half back pairing of Dan Sparrey and Gareth Richards appeared flawless as the Malvern playmaking bedazzled the unfortunate Staffordshire men, Richards weaving his way through to add five more points. With Longley temporarily decked, Jon Owen kicked, but the size 13s were badly aimed.

From the restart winger Ben Hughes collected, staunchly held the ball up until Malvern won the scrum, then Taylor powered over to give Longley the extra two points. Malvern sucked in the confused Lichfield defence, the ball was spun out and Beech was there once more to canter in.

Dominating all areas of play, Malvern engulfed Lichfield like a tidal wave, Hart equalling Beech's hat-trick and Longley kicking with precision. The Malvern captain danced through for a fine score, Mark Witcombe, replacing Hart made an instant impact, and Jim Callow, subbing Beech, ran in a 40 metre score. Withnall, unsung scorer the previous week, took on the tiring Lichfield defence and Kristoffersen, buoyed by his international call-up versus Ukraine and Croatia, drifted in to score.

More tries came from Mark Gaubert and Tim Allies with Longley converting both to end the game.

The game, sponsored by Jones Brothers Coaches, MRFC's official transporters, was "a real warning to all the pretenders to Malvern's crown", according to David Robins, Malvern's Director of Rugby.

"At last we fired on all cylinders and this was the nearest to 'Total Rugby' we have achieved. My Man of the Match has to be Bo Kristoffersen, part of the biggest back line ever seen at Malvern, whose ball retention, angles of running and teamwork were exemplary. We now lose him to international duties, with no silly Club before Country demands from us - he echoes the sporting ethos we try to apply at Malvern. We just want his international shirt for our new Clubhouse wall!"

Tomorrow (Saturday) Belgrave are the next visitors to 'Fortress Malvern', kick-off 3pm.