MALVERN gained a comfortable winning draw against Bewdley on Saturday thanks largely to the all round brilliance of Rob Francis.

MALVERN I v BEWDLEY I

Malvern captain Luke Halion won the toss and chose to bat. Malvern posted 35 runs for the first wicket before Mark Baugh was well caught by Beard. Adam Dovey continued where he had left off last week smashing the ball to all parts before being deceived by Mark Bennett for a fine 35.

Halion looked in superb form until he was out for 19 runs at 93-5 when the innings was at a vital stage. Steve Carter battled it out for a vital 29 but it was Francis who Malvern had to thank for taking their total to 228. With a series of awesome shots all round the wicket he finished on 65, Richard Neale scored a fluent 20 at the other end.

Francis was immediately among the wickets having Jones dismissed for 0, before he took the vital scalp of George Baylis and at 10-2 Bewdley were struggling.

Beard, Mauger and Knowles all threatened to take the game away from Malvern but the home side really battled to stay in the game through some fine fielding and support bowling from Jeremy Lee.

Francis returned and pegged the scoring rate back, Lee deservedly got among the wickets and Bewdley ended up playing for the draw.

Francis finished with 4-48 from 17 overs, an excellent effort. Lee also picked up three wickets in a fine spell.

Dave Arnold was in superb form behind the wickets with four catches.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Malvern are away to Hereford City, a game they must not take too lightly, remembering that last year they lost to both the division's relegated sides.