MALVERN I v EASTNOR I

MALVERN entertained local rivals Eastnor and were very fortunate to come away with nine points as rain forced the umpires to abandon the game.

Malvern batted first and had another disappointing start losing Jeremy Lee for three. David Arnold promoted in the order looked in good form but a rare failure for Paul Young suggested another batting collapse and at 44-6 Malvern were in real trouble.

However, Steven Carter was still at the wicket and after a cautious start began to unleash his full array of shots including one superb six over long-on. Carter found reliable partners in Neil Thompson and Gordon Hawker and together they pushed the score to 128-8 with Carter finally out for a superb 53.

The game had been reduced to 44 overs a side because of rain and Eastnor, after the loss of Keith Fortey, were well on course to reach the target when rain intervened and saved Malvern from almost certain defeat.

Another poor performance from Malvern.If they continue to perform as badly as this they will almost certainly be dragged into a relegation battle.