MALVERN consolidated their position at the top of Midlands Two West (South) with a 52-12 thrashing of Nuneaton Old Edwardians at Spring Lane.

Tom Hale was the pick of the scorers with a hat-trick while Glen Potter, Conor Giggle (2), Luke Milton and Rory Atkins crossed the whitewash in the eight-try victory.

For the second week running Malvern scored in the first minute as Jack Longley spoiled at the line out and the ball was swiftly shipped to Hale who went over.

The hosts suffered an early blow when tighthead prop Craig Freeman suffered a leg injury, but they stuck to their game plan and got their rewards.

Continuing to probe and press, the men in maroon and gold forced their way deep into Old Eds’ territory before Potter burst through the middle of the defence to score and set up an easy conversion for Niall Potter-Farrant.

After the Nuneaton side missed a penalty, Malvern bagged a third try as Ieuan Mustow made a telling break and Giggle beat three men before touching down.

The power-packed visitors got the last score of the half, though, as they forced a pushover converted try after a series of scrums.

Leading 17-7 at the break, Malvern now had the wind and slope advantage and once again scored from the kick-off.

Milton broke and released Hale who went on a 50-metre scoring run-in to seal the try bonus point. Potter-Farrant added the extras.

The duo combined again as Hale dumped a bulky centre on his back en route to another try which Potter-Farrant converted.

Milton then got his name on the scoresheet as he danced his way over the try-line, which Potter-Farrant improved.

All afternoon the Malvern forwards had been quietly but efficiently doing the hard work to set up the backs, with Sam Parsons and Richard Hobbs being pirates around the flanks and Longley making his presence felt at number eight.

Jonny Bywater and Adam Green provided grunt and height where needed while props Grant Fraser and Mark Chivers delivered despite facing much heavier opposition.

Ringing the changes, Malvern brought on Frankie Purcell at scrum-half as they continued to attack. Giggle got his second of the afternoon, with Adam Dixon converting to add to his controlling performance at fly-half.

Old Eds refused to give up and put in a long period of pressure on the Malvern line, which finally resulted in an unconverted try.

But Malvern had the final word and brought up their second successive half century of points. After controlling a scrum the ball was shipped to Atkins who powered through. Dixon converted.

Rob Cook’s side return to league action on Saturday, November 4 when they visit bottom club Old Yardleians (2.15pm).