MALVERN’S directory of rugby Dave Irish said a disorganised defensive display cost his team as they suffered a 44-10 thrashing at Newbold.
The Midlands Two West (South) fixture saw the visitors start brightly as they moved the ball well for skipper Luke Milton to go over for a try early on, Ben King converting.
The Spring Lane side continued their control for the opening half hour, with only a few breaks by the hosts threatening.
However, the referee was quick to penalise Malvern repeatedly for not releasing, although there was some evidence the Newbold forwards were going off their feet at the ruck.
The Warwickshire side began to gain more momentum and they started to threaten, their loose forwards popping the ball with precision and although Milton put in a try-saving tackle, the ball was kicked to the corner and the winger sped in to score.
The hosts went ahead with a penalty before King retook the lead for Malvern with a penalty of his own, but Newbold responded with one of their own to go into the second half with a single-point lead.
A change of prop for Newbold saw them start to dominate at the scrum and, with Malvern’s lineout misfiring, the home team started to take control, and they went further ahead with a try early in the second half.
After an exchange of views in the middle of the park, one player from each side was sin-binned and from the resultant penalty Newbold were again deep in Malvern territory.
From the lineout their centre made a strong run through the heart of a lacklustre Malvern defence to score and convert.
Play was then held up for some time due to an injury to Rory Jones and an ambulance was called but after an assessment in hospital he was allowed home.
The injury prompted a pitch change and the home side then ended the match with a flourish, scoring three tries without answer to swap places in the table with Malvern.
Irish said he was disappointed with his team’s performance.
“We were pretty disorganised in defence, which is usually one of our team strengths, and our lineout wasn’t working well either,” he said.
“Our players also have to realise that, having dropped two leagues, we aren’t getting the standard of refereeing we have been used to.
“Newbold played today’s official far better, showing they are much more streetwise, and our lads need to be a bit better in that department.
“Having said that, I feel that the score flattered Newbold somewhat, and we now look to bounce back against Nuneaton Old Edwardians.”