THE Malvern players went into this bottom of the Midlands Two West table dogfight knowing that they need to start winning unless they are to be cut adrift from the pack.

MALVERN 11PTS, STAFFORD 14PTS

Still with injuries causing disarray, skipper Matt Richardson had to move to the unfamiliar position of hooker, whilst line-out specialist Chris Smith was again missing from the second row.

Stafford kicked-off with a strong wind at their backs and showed every intention of using this advantage from the start. However, it was Malvern who looked the sharper in the early exchanges as the pack took play to the visitors.

Roberts, Burns and Lancett were all in evidence as Malvern ground their way upfield to within the Stafford 22-metre zone. However, the Stafford defence held firm and a long cross-field kick, aided by the powerful following wind, put Malvern under pressure from the right winger. A hasty back-pass was intercepted and Malvern, against the run of play, were seven points behind after 14 minutes.

Stafford forced a line-out and from the catch and drive, spun the ball to the full-back who evaded tackles to score a converted try.

Playing catch-up again, a feature of the season, Malvern worked their way back into the game, but conceded possession time after time in the set pieces. The tackling improved, with Roberts and Burns putting in some big hits, but the Stafford defence was quick to spoil any Malvern possession.

Nonetheless, the visitors were forced on to the back foot and Ott was unlucky with a long penalty attempt against the stiff wind.

Stafford, who had come with a reputation of over-physicality, put themselves about as Malvern started to exert pressure and the number eight was sin-binned. Malvern drove on but only managed one penalty whilst he was off the field.

With the wind dropping in the second half Malvern's advantage was not so great, but the forwards went on a rumble with old warhorse Steve Cooper to the fore and attacked the Stafford line but an offside was given.

Perera came on at prop, whilst Julien Davies switched to scrum half as veteran full-back Andy Longley made his first appearance of the season, Ott moving to centre.

There was more urgency about Malvern's play and Ott clawed back another three points with a penalty as Stafford continued to flirt with offside, then Malvern stole the ball in the loose as Stafford made a rare foray into Malvern territory. In a barnstorming finish, Dan Kay was just held out as he tried to score in the corner with five minutes to go and it was all Malvern.

Andy Burns, Malvern's best player on the day, showed his 100 per cent commitment as he charged down a clearance then raced through for a try. However, it was too little, too late as Stafford defended desperately to keep Malvern out for the last minutes.