MALVERN Seconds scored their highest total of the season (234) at Bewdley on Saturday but it was not enough to prevent the home side from taking 20 points.

MALVERN II v BEWDLEY II

Electing to bat on a hard, flat track D Cox soon progressed to 29 including two catches off no balls. Prosser was comprehensively bowled by Hartley and Rashid contributed 23, mostly in singles.

Besgrove scored a brisk 19, but at 81-5 Malvern needed to steady the ship. Steve Walker then strode to the crease and assisted by Bird (18), he started to score freely.

In a much overdue innings he scored 85no including nine fours.

With a classy knock from Tom Poole at the end Malvern finished on 234-7 off 50 overs, mainly thanks to Walker's innings.

Bewdley, needing just under five an over, started sensibly making the most of the quick outfield. Time seemed to stand still as the main bowlers plugged away for little reward. Poole was unlucky not to pick up a wicket but Richard Cullen bowled accurately to take two wickets.

Bewdley were always ahead of the run rate and their main contributors were Jones (60), Meek (60) and Robinson (52). The total was reached in the 45th over.