Malvern were forced to settle for a losing bonus-point last weekend as they were beaten 21-28 by Whitchurch in an entertaining clash at Spring Lane.

Chris Leatham starred with a hat-trick of tries for the visitors as they made it four league wins on the spin.

Malvern had recovered from 21-7 down in the first-half to level the scores with two converted tries before half-time with Whitchurch’s Fergus Downes in the sinbin.

Downes returned after the break from the naughty step and redeemed himself with a try, which was converted by Jake Dodwell, which proved to be the decisive score in the end, despite a spirited effort from Malvern.

They stay 11th in the Midlands One West table but have a decent gap over the bottom three sides in the league and should be good enough to avoid relegation this season.

Vern are back on the road this Saturday as they visit 10th placed Wolverhampton, who are two points ahead of Malvern but an identical record of four wins, one draw and 10 losses in the league campaign thus far.