MALVERN gave a disjointed display as they lost 30-14 at Banbury in Midlands Two West (South).

The hosts played better rugby than a physical Pinley side the previous weekend and were too good for the Spring Lane club.

Malvern made a bright start to go deep into the home half only to knock on at the crucial point.

After winning a scrum, mobile Banbury number eight Sam Ridgway was on hand to score a try.

They cut through a lacklustre Malvern central defence and skipper Eddie Phillips added the conversion.

The visitors put in a couple of attacks, winning a penalty on the Banbury 22 line, but the effort was wasted as they transgressed at the line-out.

The Oxfordshire side continued to put pressure on Malvern’s defence as their strong runners punched through the centre and only good defence kept them out.

However, they conceded penalties in doing so and Phillips punished them three times to take the score at half-time to 16-0 in favour of Banbury.

After stern words from Malvern director of rugby Dave Irish at the break, they started the second-half more positively.

They drove Banbury back and attacked their line with the reward being a penalty try as the home defence panicked.

Ben King converted and gave Malvern hope.

Another attack saw the Worcestershire side again in the home 22 but the attack fizzled out as they were held up.

Banbury turned defence into attack and a kick-and-chase saw speedy winger Jed Boyle win the race to score a try before Phillips added the extra two.

Malvern’s injury hoodoo then struck again as captain Luke Milton and winger George Roberts both left the field in quick succession.

Charles Rambridge went on as a front-row replacement and lasted barely five minutes before sustaining an ankle injury.

With two more Malvern players down, Banbury took advantage of their superior numbers to score and convert once more.

But Malvern showed spirit and fought back as Richard Fleming used his power to go through the middle.

He chipped ahead before winning the race to ground the ball and give King a conversion, which added respectability to the scoreline.

Irish was disappointed with his team’s showing on the day.

He said: “In the first-half, we didn’t really look as if we wanted to be there, despite the fact we had beaten them comfortably at Spring Lane.

“To be fair, they were different on Saturday, much more disciplined and clinical and the better side won.

“We now have a break this week to work on tactics and give the injured some recovery time before meeting a much-improved Droitwich side at home on January 31.”

Meanwhile, Newent resisted a determined second-half comeback from Chosen Hill Former Pupils to claim maximum points with a 35-19 success.

The win kept them hot on the heels of table-topping Coney Hill in Tribute Western Counties North.

Ross Webb, Charlie Gellert and Jamie Meek dived over alongside a penalty try.

Webb added three conversions and three penalties.