UNBEATEN fifties for Tom Grove and Dan Besgrove saw Malvern Seconds come out on top against local rivals Barnards Green Seconds in this Worcestershire County League fixture at Regency Road.

Malvern skipper Richard Cullen invited Barnards Green to bat first hoping Malvern's excellent fielding would continue and restrict the visitors to a low total.

Early chances came and went, with some difficult catches going to ground, but with both Laws and Mitchell bowling well, reward was not far away.

Lewis (13) fell to a good catch at slip from Besgrove, off the bowling of Mitchell, and then Doughty went lbw to first change bowler Mudway.

Few of the Green batsmen could get going after making promising starts. Wheeler (27), Paddock (11) and Harris (19) all fell to the bowling of Thompson and only aggressive batting from Middleton (48no) and Hooper (27) gave the away team a fighting chance, finishing on 184-8 off their 50 overs. Thompson ended pick of the bowlers with 4-35 from 15 overs.

In reply, openers Grove and Walwyn made steady progress until Walwyn (10) was caught behind after a misjudged trademark cut shot. Things started to go badly wrong for the home side as A Cullen (0) and Thompson (4) both departed quickly leaving Malvern on 50-3.

Fortunately Dan Besgrove and Tom Grove kept their heads, playing some excellent shots all round the ground. Both looked a class above their opposition as they developed an unbeaten 136-run partnership, finishing on 77no and 53no respectively.

Another good win for Malvern Seconds, who keep top spot going into tomorrow's (Saturday) top-of-the-table clash against Belbroughton.

Match sponsor Worcester City Tiling.