A VICAR from Malvern showed he could wield his bat as well as his Bible when he hit a century in a clergy cricket match John Barr, vicar of Malvern Priory, scored 143 not out on the hallowed pitch at Worcestershire County Cricket Club's New Road ground, playing for the Diocese of Worcester against the Diocese of Coventry.

Despite the best efforts of Mr Barr, the Worcester team lost by three runs at the end of the 40-over Church Times Cup match, with the final scorecard reading Worcester Diocese 276 for three and Coventry Diocese 279 for five.

Mr Barr said: "I'm over the moon to have achieved a score of 143, although I was a little disappointed not to have quite reached the 150 mark."

Despite the defeat, all is not lost for the team as they are still to play the dioceses of Birmingham, Gloucester and Lichfield in the cup's group stages.

Any other members of the clergy, men or women, are welcome to join the diocese team, which was established in 1976.