WITHOUT a league game on Saturday, Malvern travelled to Monmouth for a friendly with an experimental side and still romped to a good 7-44 win.

David Robins, Malvern's Director of Rugby, was pleased that the team had been given a good workout.

He said: "When you get a free Saturday, the intensity of the league programme tempts you to rest the players. However, the coaches felt that, with two crucial games against Solihull and Burton coming up, we should keep them sharp and also experiment with some minor changes.

"I believe it paid off - we saw some fine individual performances in the backs, once the new combinations had settled in, and Owen Jones and Phil Rawle made quite an impact in the back row during the second half.

"As we get into the winter it can become a slog and I'm happy that we now have a strengthened squad to help us maintain a promotion challenge."

Tomorrow (Saturday), Malvern host Solihull at Spring Lane (2.15 kick-off).

Having lost to the Pertemps Bees junior side in the North Midlands Cup Final last season, the Malvern players are eager to redress the balance, against a side which usually boasts the strongest pack in the league.

Robins confirmed this and said: "They usually have a big pack and we are expecting a fair old forwards tussle, its going to be tough old game.

"Since the loss to Hereford, the spirit and attitude of the side hasbeen good and we have picked ourselves up. It's all very tight at the moment but we have a good strong side and this is a must win game for us at home."

Robins has kept faith with Adam Dixon and Owen Jones who played well against Monmouth last week and Lou Greenwood, who played in the season's opening fixture, returns to the front row.