MALVERN managed a fifth win of the 2023/24 season in what was their penultimate away game at bottom-of-the-league Berkswell & Balsall on Saturday.

Another youthful Malvern side made the trip to Warwickshire to face a side already relegated and destined to finish bottom of the pile in the Regional 2 Midlands West.

It was a positive start from the visitors, who scored two tries in the opening stages to build an early 12-0 lead.

A slick lineout routine saw Finn Potter set-up Arran Carr to crash over for the first score of the game and it was soon two when relentless pressure in the Berkswell danger zone saw Ollie Hale scoot in the corner.

Adam Dixon was controlling things well from fly-half but despite a lot of possession and territory, Malvern were unable to build on that lead and it was the hosts who scored next from a dominant driving maul to make it a seven-point game. 

But the away side responded well to the set-back and young prop Kieron Roberts crashed over for a third try of the game. Malvern's Jay Elwell then went over for the bonus-point score after receiving the ball out wide.

At half-time, the score was 5-22 and Malvern were in total control.

Two yellow cards reduced both sides to 14 in the early stages of the second-half and a second try of the game from Berkswell compounded Malvern's frustrations.

But Vern battered their way back up the field with Finn Potter making some excellent yards and Ollie Hale picked up with great finesse before the pill was spun out to Hyland, who finished brilliantly.

Roberts scored a second after the home side had also crossed and despite a late bonus-point try from Berkswell, the young Malvern side had already done enough to record victory.

Malvern have two games left this season, starting this weekend with an away game at Ludlow before finishing their campaign at home to Hereford (April 6).