MALVERN continued to fight for their Midlands One status after a superb 25-20 victory away to Whitchurch last Saturday.
The win was made even more impressive as Nick Tisdale saw his men come back from trailing 15-5 at half-time to complete the double over the sixth-placed hosts.
After early pressure from Malvern, the Salopians found themselves 7-0 up after 22 minutes when following a series of five metre scrums the referee awarded a penalty try, which was duly converted by Daniel Nicholas.
A quick break from Adam Dixon saw him burst through the Whitchurch defence to get the visitor’s first try of the game, before the hosts’ extended their advantage at the break thanks to a Nicholas penalty and a James Towers try.
The second-from-bottom side came out with a point to prove in the second half and a devastating five minute spell from Tisdale’s side saw them take the lead for the first time in the game.
Firstly, Stuart Clarke secured the ball from a five-metre line out to go over for a rare try, which Tom Longley converted, before James Southall picked up a loose ball to secure another score, with Longley again converting, to put the Spring Lane men 19-15 up.
Clarke then picked up a yellow card and was sent to the sin bin, but the 14 men held firm and extended their lead to seven points after 58 minutes with another Longley penalty.
And with five minutes remaining the points were all but secured when Malvern broke out and won another penalty which Longley put over to give them a ten point cushion.
Whitchurch threw everything at their opponents and squandered good scoring opportunities before Tom Skone finally went over in the corner with a minute left to play but Malvern held on for a vital victory.
Tisdale’s men now travel to basement boys Market Bosworth on Saturday knowing victory would ensure another big step towards survival.