MALVERN Rugby Club had to work hard for their 37-7 win at Handsworth in the third round of the Intermediate Cup.

It was left to scrum-half Daniel Sparrey to open the scoring, cheekily stealing the ball and running half the pitch to touch down.

After a long period of scrappy play, during which Mark Humphreys was replaced by Andy Longley after an ankle injury, the Malvern skipper increased the lead with a 35th minute penalty.

From the restart Malvern's forwards went upfield, showing beautiful handling skills as their inter-passing allowed Steve Cooper to score.

Longley's conversion gave Malvern a 15 point cushion.

However, Handsworth had other ideas and came out for the second half with all guns blazing, forcing Malvern on to the back foot and making them concede a string of penalties, ending with a try for Ashley Dubberley.

Deficit

The conversion took the home side to eight points in deficit and they were playing with sufficient verve to make Malvern step up a gear.

They drove to the Handsworth line and gained a penalty which Longley slotted.

Paul Jenkin made a trademark break for his captain to glide through and score, the conversion giving an 18 point gap and the game safely beyond Handsworth.

With all Malvern replacements now on, Blakeway urged his forwards on relentlessly, popping the ball out to Ben Hughes, who ended a scoring drought by bravely forcing his way over in the corner.

The cream was finally added to the Malvern cake when Mark Gaubert outstripped a tiring Handsworth defence in a 50 metre dash, collecting his just reward after having two earlier efforts disallowed.

Longley's conversion brought proceedings to an end.

n Bromsgrove edged into the fourth round of the Intermediate Cup after a tense tie at Aston Old Edwardians.

The final score was 11-11 and with the number of tries also level, Bromsgrove progressed by virtue of being the away team.

Stand-off Matt Birch kicked two penalties to put Bromsgrove 6-0 up but the home side soon levelled with two penalties of their own.

However, after the break a drive by the forwards ended with tight-head prop Steve Phillips picking up the loose ball and diving over to restore Bromsgrove's advantage.

Aston soon levelled again with a try of their own and then exerted considerable pressure as they searched for the winning score, but Bromsgrove worked hard to keep them out until the final whistle.