AFTER promotion the previous May, Malvern took a while to adjust to life in Midlands One.

Injuries galore and a series of soul-destroying defeats signified a cruel first-half of the season among the big boys for Malvern.

Their Midlands One campaign kicked off on Saturday, September 13, at Spring Lane with a local derby against a strong Luctonians side.

A first day 27-3 reality check followed in what would be the first of nine straight defeats.

This ultimate baptism of fire for Dave Robins’ side did include a few tight losses, including 26-20 to Kettering and 27-19 to South Leicester but, as the bodies tumbled and the treatment table became more congested, the defeats got heavier.

The most crushing of which during this torrid spell, included a 46-24 loss to Kenilworth in October, and a 29-0 reverse to Hinckley, saw Malvern propping up the table and staring an immediate relegation in the face.

It would take a break from league action courtesy of an Intermediate Cup tie with Chester to stop the rot.

That late November day at Spring Lane saw Malvern play like a different team, given a day off from the pressures of their league struggles.

A nervy finish to the game produced a 21-16 victory with relieved coaches and players alike celebrating on the pitch at the final whistle. This momentum continued in their next home clash seven days later as Bedford Athletic were swept away in a tidal wave of attacking rugby in an early season four-pointer, 34-0.

Chester gained revenge in the league next and this was followed by the conclusion of their involvement in the Intermediate Cup with a 25-15 defeat to Luton.

But early Christmas cheer was felt at Spring Lane with a comprehensive 31-8 win over Hinckley.

An extended festive break and a stop-start resumption to their season due to heavy snowfall delayed Malvern’s return to action.

A welcome 27-20 win over Kenilworth was the first of five-in-a-row as any relegation fears were quickly eliminated.

A double of league and cup losses over Luctonians pulled the brakes on Malvern’s fine run.

But still the club had several reasons to be cheerful as their upturn in form saw them securing national-level rugby status for next season in the new-look restructuring of the divisions.

Defeats to high-flyers Chester (25-17), league champions Broadstreet (24-10) and Bedford Athletic (36-31) meant an eventful season ended in a damp squib.

Robins said: “This was the most difficult season I’ve had since becoming the director of rugby here.”