HEAD coach Nick Tisdale has a tough test to turn around Malvern Rugby Club’s poor run when fifthplaced Brixham visit tomorrow (2.15pm).

The Spring Lane outfit have lost five National League Three South West matches in a row after last weekend’s 36-19 defeat at mid-table Barnstaple.

As the recently appointed Tisdale’s influence comes to bear, Malvern have the potential to do much better but must cut out the errors that are costing them dearly.

They failed to find touch with penalties and lost their own line-outs in defensive positions in north Devon despite dominating the second- half.

Looking for their first away win of the season, Malvern went behind on only two minutes to a penalty as they struggled to contain a busy pack. After 15 minutes, the game turned further in the hosts’ favour when Nick Miller was sin-binned for a high tackle.

Two kicks took them to the Malvern five-metre line and full-back Will Topps eventually provided the extra man after a scrum to score in the 18th minute.

Barnstaple secured the restart to run back and scrum-half Ben Vellacott glided in for a converted try.

Malvern started to play with more purpose but turnover ball was passed out to winger Linford Brock and his effort was converted by Topps.

On the stroke of half-time, the Worcestershire side failed to find touch with a penalty and Barnstaple again countered with Topps bagging a converted try.

The second period was a different story as Malvern came out with a purpose that was previously lacking.

Taking play to Barnstaple, they looked more positive and were rewarded with a converted try from Tom Longley after crisp passing along the line.

Malvern’s pack began to dominate, inspired by skipper Matt Williams, and put Barnstaple under pressure.

James Southall seized a loose ball and went over to give Longley a second conversion.

However, a long kick deep into Malvern territory saw the visitors lose the line-out and Barnstaple drove forward for Winston James to score and Topps convert.

Malvern piled on the pressure for Southall to force a late try but another away loss had been confirmed.