MALVERN travelled to Oldswinford for their Crusader Worcestershire County League match and came away with a losing draw in a rain affected match.

OLDSWINFORD v MALVERN

Malvern skipper Luke Halion won the toss and invited the home side to bat. Rob Francis and Neil Thompson immediately settled into a good line, both batsmen played and missed on countless occasions before finally Maltino was bowled by Thompson for five. Runs were hard to come by as Malvern's opening pair continued their stranglehold on the innings.

A partnership of 45 in mid-innings lifted Oldswinford and continual rain affected the state of the ball so that the home side were able to post a score of 179-7. Adam Dovey and Steve Carter both bowled encouraging spells, Francis had no luck in his 18 overs and Thompson continued his excellent early season form with 4-47.

Malvern started confidently on a difficult wicket but at 19 Dave Arnold was adjudged lbw for one and then Halion was run out in contentious fashion.

Mark Baugh looked in good form and with Francis took the score to 52. Sensing that rain was in the air Francis looked to increase the tempo and was caught out at mid wicket. Soon after rain brought the teams off. However when play quickly resumed, Malvern lost Baugh and Peachey in quick succession and the impetus swung back to the home side. Dovey and Mark Hooper set out about repairing the innings but rain came again and Malvern had to settle for a losing draw, when for much of the game their performance suggested they may gain more.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Malvern entertain Romsley.

MALVERN II v OLD SWINFORD II

MALVERN claimed their first 20 points of the season with an early win over Old Swinford.

Malvern captain Besgrove invited the visitors to bat first and they were soon in trouble with Cox removing Fradgeley and Scott with excellent deliveries. A good all round performance in the field saw Swinford scrape together 105 runs all out off 42 overs. Cox finished with figure of 4-32 off 17 overs.

Malvern's opener Dave Cox and Walwyn got off to a great start, after ten overs they were 42 for no wicket. After a prolonged rain break lost 15 overs, Malvern's openers resumed their scoring rate with both producing excellent shots. After 21 overs Cox (41) and Walwyn (50) reached the total giving Malvern the 20 points.