IT IS not quite crisis time in the village but Cookley are languishing in bottom place in Division Two after their worst start to a season for 12 years.

Matters are not being helped by an injury to player-manager Andy Parker who has yet to start to a game.

Saturday saw defeat snatched from victory against Malvern after Cookley were well placed at 95-2 through Phil Dixon's 37 runs and 33 from Grant Snowball.

But they slumped to 115-7 and only Paul Harris's 33 not out picked them up for a reasonable total of 171-9 with Malvern's Francis taking 4-46.

It looked good for Cookley when Malvern were reduced to 29-5 after 18 overs with Harris claiming 3-17.

But a succession of dropped catches allowed Francis (81 not out) and Lee (53 not out) to guide Malvern to a surprise win.

In contrast to their league form, Cookley firsts have reached the area final of the National Village Knockout Cup this Sunday.

They travel to Bretforton who knocked out Chaddesley Corbett in an earlier round.

Cookley 171-9, Malvern 172-5.

Fourth-placed Cookley seconds continued to perform excellently with a thrilling win at mid-table Malvern.

Mark Guest's 4-40 was key in restricting the town side to 197-6 before Cookley took a three-wicket win, thanks to Sean Smith's 86 and 24 not out from Bart Anderson.

Malvern 197-6, Cookley 2nds 198-7.