MALVERN remain stuck in mid-table after a tricky fixture at Pinley ended in a 22-14 defeat in Midlands Two West (South).

On a small, sticky pitch, the Spring Lane men started brightly but conceded a penalty which allowed Pinley to clear their lines.

The Coventry hosts, with wind and slope advantage, counter-attacked and their impressive stand-off weaved through sloppy tackling to score an easy try.

The conversion was missed as the kicker had a day to forget to ultimately flatter seventh-placed Malvern.

Malvern responded by driving upfield through a Dave Smith run and a kick ahead but Laurie Essenhigh, following up, was adjudged to have not released the defender.

The game continued to see- saw for the rest of the half with both sides trying to play expansive rugby despite the narrow pitch and conditions.

Malvern’s scrum, with Grant Fraser adding grunt in the second row, competed well, while Jack Longley and Smith secured line-out ball.

The ball was shipped by scrum-half Joe Budd to Adam Dixon and the experienced fly-half scored under the posts with Ben King’s conversion putting Malvern ahead.

Pinley pushed uphill into the Malvern half after the break and a well-executed kick from the stand-off was followed up by their speedy left winger, who went over to retake the lead.

Fifth-placed Pinley adapted better to the conditions and a bad clearance from Malvern went to the winger, who ran straight back to set up a driving maul and the third try.

The home side kicked ahead and followed up with an old-fashioned foot rush as Malvern’s defence failed to secure the ball and Pinley secured their bonus point with a converted try.

Hitting back, the visitors drove downfield, winning penalties as the pack put in fine work.

Opting for a scrum, Malvern’s eight drove Pinley back over the line and Budd touched down to bring the gap back to eight points.

But the one successful conversion by Pinley remained the barrier to even a losing bonus point.

Malvern have an RFU Midlands Intermediate Cup second-round tie at home to Shrewsbury on Saturday (2pm).