A MUCH-CHANGED Malvern side came unstuck on an unfamiliar 3G pitch at Stourton Park as Stourbridge Lions ran out 36-8 winners.

The Friday night Midlands One West fixture came with its own problems for Malvern as they were forced into six chances, largely due to work commitments.

At first, this did not seem to faze the Spring Lance side as they put in a several early attacks but a combination of errors and a well-drilled Stour defence kept them at bay.

Both sides missed penalty opportunities but the home side drew first blow when they drove Malvern back at the scrum and Fred Brookes broke through to dot down under the sticks.

Malvern continued to compete, with James Tutty earning a great turnover, but the hosts butchered another try-scoring chance by knocking on.

Lions then punished Malvern again as Sam Wilson crossed the whitewash to give his side a 12-0 lead at half-time.

The second period began with Stour coming out with all guns blazing and Will Tibbetts danced through to score.

Malvern responded immediately by driving into the home 22 area and were rewarded with a penalty which Ben King slotted over.

Lions bagged the bonus point when Nick Mann scored the first of his two tries.

Adam Dixon picked up a knock and Frankie Purcell came on at scrum half, but the replacement made an instant impression.

Purcell took a quick penalty before Malvern fizzed the ball across the line for Dion King to cross in the corner.

Malvern plugged away but Lions scored two further tries in the last 15 minutes through Nick Mann and Ollie Bache to wrap up the victory.

Director of rugby Rob Cook said: "There were some weaknesses which we will address in training, but given our availability situation we were always going to find it difficult."

But Lions’ head coach Simon Daws who previously played for Malvern was able to offer his former side some words of encouragement.

“A lot of sides won't be able to cope with Malvern's intensity,” Daws said.

“If they carry on playing like that then they should be able to secure their position in this league."

Malvern face Sutton Coldfield at Spring Lane on Saturday (3pm).