Malvern 17 pts Luctonians 24

Luctonians maintaind their Powergen Midlands 1 challenge by completing a double over Malvern.

Reflecting the pattern of their 31-12 home victory over Malvern earlier in the season, Luctonians established a comfortable lead but then saw it reduced in the final quarter.

Malvern applied all the early pressure and, apart from isolated breaks by centre Jon Goodwin and number eight Dwayne Cadwallader, all the rugby was being played in the visitors' territory.

Their defence withstood the pressure, however, and left-wing Andy Garrod fielded a speculative Malvern kick ahead to stage a counter-attack.

Luctonians were winning an ample supply of lineout ball through Darren Brick and another clean catch saw Goodwin slice through again and Cadwallader was at his shoulder to cross for a try which full-back Sam Bowen converted.

Luctonians conceded a soft try from the kick-off when a dropped ball was snapped up by Malvern centre Dave Jenkin who crossed half-way out.

Luctonians extended their lead with a second try shortly before the break when, following a Bowen run up the right, the ball was recycled to give Garrod an overlap to cross in the left corner. The kick was missed, leaving the visitors leading 12-5 at half-time.

The second half opened with a minor fracas and a yellow card for Malvern but Luctonians continued to dominate and scrum- half Steve Saint popped up an inside pass for prop Steve Jaques to crash over. Bowen's conversion extended the lead and on the restart Saint was quickly in action.

He scurried along the blindside of a ruck for a fine individual try.

With a 24-5 lead, Lucton-ians looked to be heading for a comfortable victory.

But Malvern raised their game and substitutions in both sets of forwards seemed to swing the game in their favour as they hit back with a try from wing Sam Hardcas-tle.

When Jaques was yellow-carded five minutes before the end, the pressure increased.

Jenkin notched his second try and, with only a converted try now separating the teams, the game was in the balance. But Luctonians tightened their defence and held on for the win.