A DOMINANT display from the pack powered Malvern to a 27-19 win over early Midlands Two West (South) leaders Banbury at Spring Lane.

Although prop forward Craig Freeman did not get on the scoresheet, his performance as the cornerstone of the pack laid the foundation for a home success.

But The display from the whole pack ultimately secured maximum points to keep Malvern in touch with the leaders.

The tone was set in the first five minutes when a massive scrum had the Oxfordshire side going back, but the drizzly conditions made ball handling difficult.

However, The visitors drew first blood, albeit from a controversial off-side position.

Banbury’s scrum-half hacked on and the visitors won the kick-and-chase to open the scoring.

Malvern continued to attack and they were awarded a penalty try.

They won a five-metre scrum, which was followed by three penalties before the referee awarded the try as Banbury failed to contain the pack.

Despite the greasy conditions, the home side played their brand of attractive running rugby only to be penalised for not releasing the ball.

Banbury took advantage to score a second try against the run of play.

The first-half ended with the visitors 12-7 ahead but with Malvern on the attack.

As the second period began, Banbury were again penalised, and Will Clee nearly went over the whitewash, only for the referee to halt play for a penalty.

Ben King stepped up to kick the three points.

As Malvern piled on the pressure once more, they threatened the away line again.

However, Banbury hit back to score a converted try as a dropped ball was hacked downfield and they won the chase to restore their nine-point lead.

Again Malvern pressed, undaunted by the setback.

The impressive George Withers narrowly won the man-of-the-match award for taking four scrums against the head and a great display of raw ball-carrying power.

The vocal crowd sensed another Malvern score was imminent and so it proved.

A home line-out led to a tremendous shove as the catch-and-drive move was executed to perfection, giving number eight Richard Hobbs the an easy touchdown to close the gap to only four points.

With the gap suitably narrowed to only four points, the hosts put in crunching tackles and the pack drove a maul a full 30 metres to win another penalty.

A further drive to the Banbury line saw a visiting player sin-binned.

Malvern opted for a scrum, which drove the visitors backwards for Hobbs to claim his second try.

They once again drove to the visitors’ red zone and the referee had little choice but to finally award a second penalty try which King converted.

Malvern have a county derby at Droitwich on Saturday.