BEWDLEY'S opening Worcestershire League Division Two match ended in a tie with Malvern after an eventful final over from Jason Taylor.

Ten-man Malvern reached 155-6 in chasing 164 for victory before Taylor conceded seven runs off the first three balls.

But Taylor then took two wickets to leave the last pair needing two for victory which looked on until one batsman turned for the second and slipped.

Bewdley struggled with the bat as only Ben Jones (25) had much early success against tight bowling before he was dismissed at 38-3.

Martin Flack (50 not out) put together an 80-run eighth-wicket stand with David Meek (34) until the latter was dismissed in the 50th over.

Malvern started well in reply to look well placed at 114-2 but Taylor (5-31) and Simon Mauger (3-40) forced the middle order to fall behind the clock and earned the Wyre Forest side 14 points.

Bewdley 163-8, Malvern 163.

The seconds just failed to clinch an opening victory at Malvern after being unable to prise out their opponents' last pair.

Bewdley did well to overcome the first-ball loss of Peter Mauger through good batting from newcomer Simon Jones, David Mills, Mark Edwards and Dean Wilkes.

Skipper David Jones anchored the innings and his 83 enabled Bewdley to post a challenging 196-9.

Scott Fowler's pace proved too much though there was a defiant third-wicket stand of 80.

Bewdley's bowlers chipped away with Edwards claiming 3-33 but the home side held on for a draw.

Bewdley 2nds 196-9, Malvern 162-9.