THE first league game of the season saw Malvern II entertain Bewdley II in the Crusader Worcestershire County League Division Two.

MALVERN II v BEWDLEY II

Malvern won the toss and asked Bewdley to bat. R Bird opened the bowling and his first ball of the new season swung and had P Mauger out behind first ball. Captain D Jones (83) and S Jones (27) then added 63. Then wickets fell to R Bird 2-42 and I Sumner 3-53. Malvern bowlers did well to keep Bewdley to 196-6 after some lofted blows from M Edwards.

The Malvern innings did not start too well losing two wickets for no runs. This brought together M Hooper (40) and R Cullen (35). These two added 83 runs and Malvern were on course for victory but after losing these two Malvern lost their way. S Walker (29) and M Cox (16) tried to get it back to no avail. After these two were out Malvern hung on for the losing draw.

Bewdley 15 points, Malvern 6 points.