Malvern's Director of Rugby Dave Robins condemned his players' performance in their shock 20-0 defeat to local rivals Bromsgrove on Saturday.

Robins told BBC Hereford and Worcester the players have a lot of work to do if they are to win Midlands Two West.

"We threw the game plan out of the window and tried to play a dry-pitch game on a quagmire," he said.

"There were some very below par performances and we have made things much harder for ourselves."

Bromsgrove are battling against relegation in the league and Robins praised them for the way they lifted their game against a Malvern side at the head of the Midlands Two West table.

We must put the Bromsgrove result behind us Malvern's Dave Robins

"We had several call-offs through injury and unavailability which meant we had to put out a much lighter pack just when a forwards game was called for.

"However Bromsgrove were deserved winners. They played the conditions far better, their back row was immense and they had a real hunger," he said.

Malvern will travel to old rivals Luctonians for a North Midlands Cup tie on Saturday before heading into the final two league games that will determine if they are to return to Midlands One next season.

They are due to host Burton at Spring Lane on 12 April before rounding off the season a week later with a trip to Solihull.

Robins says both matches will be a test of character for the squad, but he is hoping the Bromsgrove defeat will be something of a wake-up call:

"We must put the Bromsgrove result behind us - we hope to have several of our injured players available for the last two games to enhance our efforts."