4/6/04 - Malvern hit back to snatch a draw

MALVERN v PEDMORE

Malvern batted first and though young opening pair Adam Dovey and Mark Hooper looked in good form, they had both gone by the time the score had reached 35. Luke Halion fell victim to an outstanding catch and Paul Young unfortunately played on to leave Malvern 44-4.

When last Saturday's batting hero Rob Francis was bowled for ten Malvern were in deep trouble at 54-5. Mark Baugh used all his experience to keep the home side in with a chance and a useful partnership of 23 with Steven Carter took Malvern past 100.

However it was the association between captain David Arnold and Baugh which proved vital as they added 51 in the last six overs to push Malvern to 153, Baugh finishing unbeaten on 64 (two 6s, six 4s). The total was far from satisfactory but it gave the home side a chance.

Early wickets were needed but unfortunately they did not materialise as a couple of straight forward opportunities were spurned and at 80-1 Pedmore were in complete command.

Arnold then introduced the change bowling of Tom Poole and Dovey. Poole produced an absolutely superb spell of bowling which had the Pedmore batsmen on the defensive, Dovey again produced an inspired spell when it was most necessary and as the runs began to slow so the pressure started to tell and Pedmore's middle order was blown away.

Francis was reintroduced with good effort and when Poole claimed two wickets in succession Malvern sensed an unlikely victory. Andy Delton hit a straight six to put Pedmore back on top and as the final over began five runs were still needed with two wickets left.

Welham and Denton managed four runs but a run out meant that one was required off the final ball for a Pedmore win. Arnold arranged his field expertly, Francis bowled a superb ball in the blockhole, Bourne hit out but it was fielded sharply by Matt Cross. He coolly threw the ball to Francis, who completed the run out and left the scores tied.