MALVERN suffered their fifth league defeat in a row after slumping to a 59-29 reverse at fellow promoted side Droitwich.
Saturday’s defeat leaves the Spring Lane outfit third from bottom in the Midlands One West standings.
Malvern started brightly, taking the ball on and winning a couple of penalties to take them to within the home 22, but squandered the scoring opportunity with an accidental offside.
Droitwich then opened the scoring with a converted try.
Soon after the home forwards won a turnover and ran through missed tackles to make it 12-0.
Malvern did reduce the arrears, though, when Richard Fleming made good yards before feeding Luke Milton who sped through for an unconverted try.
However, Malvern shot themselves in the foot as a long throw at the lineout was snaffled by Droitwich who took full advantage to score again.
Once again Malvern responded, winning three penalties in quick succession before Brad Williams burst through to score for a converted try to bring the score to 17-12.
An action-packed first period saw Droitwich extend their lead once again before notching up another try just before the half-time whistle to stretch their advantage to 31-12.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first for Malvern who conceded a try early doors.
Malvern were then unlucky to have a try disallowed but did manage to score when Fleming bundled over.
From the restart Malvern were once again guilty of failing to take advantage of possession which allowed Droitwich to waltz through for another try.
Malvern hit back with a try from Milton but the home side poured through Malvern’s defence twice more to take their tally to 59 points.
Fleming managed to bag Malvern’s fifth try but that was as good as it got for the visitors.
Malvern play host to high-flying Dudley Kingswinford tomorrow (Saturday).