MALVERN Rugby Club continued their try-scoring form with a 35-24 home win over Earlsdon in Midlands Two West (South) at Spring Lane.

The sixth-placed hosts moved to within two points of their Coventry-based opponents ahead of Saturday's trip to Leamington (3pm).

On a sunny spring afternoon both sides to recycle quick ball and get the backs running, making for an entertaining game.

Malvern won 38-31 at Earlsdon in November but the first 25 minutes of the latest encounter were scoreless as robust defences were on top.

However the next 12 minutes turned the game on its head and were sensational.

Tom Hale left the Earlsdon second row grounded as Malvern stepped up a gear.

A well-fielded kick on halfway was passed to Hale who ran at the space weaving inside and out with his raw pace leaving his opposite winger, the full-back and chasing cover in his wake before the reliable Ben King slotted the extras.

A fine individual try for young centre George Amphlett followed as again from a clearance kick to halfway he side-stepped, powered and outpaced the defence to score under the posts with King converting.

The Malvern game became a blur of backs and forwards as the ball was fizzed between players until out of nowhere captain Luke Milton hit a perfect line on the Earlsdon 22 to race through and score under the posts.

King converted again and then added more extras when forwards and backs combined to put winger Connor Giggle over in the corner for a bonus-point score before half-time, making it 28-0.

Malvern headed down the slight slope in the second half with the breeze behind them but Earlsdon fought back.

Through a combination of sheer willpower, pride and senior players taking responsibility Earlsdon's quick running lines were excellent and the first-up tackling brushed aside for three fine, converted tries.

A kicked penalty in front of the posts saw the deficit down to four points and the large Earlsdon following finding their voice.

The game was in the balance until the last five minutes when Malvern's James Tutty, returning from injury, went on a bullocking run through the defence and was stopped two metres out.

But quick-thinking scrum-half Laurie Essenhigh picked up and popped over the line to score and King converted to finally see off their classy visitors.