THE Fossils won the toss and West Malvern were put into bat.

Pleass and Woods made a cautious start against accurate bowling by Mudway and Millett.

WEST MALVERN v THE FOSSILS

The scoring rate was gradually accelerated and only by the introduction of Shepherd to the attack was the partnership broken with the score on 90. Woods was bowled for a carefully compiled 25, a personal best score in any form of cricket. Chaundy and Pleass then started to dominate the attack taking the score on to 139 before Pleass was caught for a superb 80. Cross and Chaundy continued scoring freely until Chaundy was bowled by Chapman with the score on 165. Young Joe Little and Matt Cross pushed the scoring rate along until the declaration at 200-3.

After a superb tea The Fossils' innings opened with Shepherd and Smith facing the bowling of 15-year-olds Jack Abbots and Joe Little. Joe was having trouble overstepping but at the other end Jack Abbots was troubling the batsmen and taking wickets.

Shepherd, who has scored prolifically in his previous two matches on this ground, was brilliantly caught by Tony Poyner at short extra cover and the other opener Smith was bowled playing on to a good delivery. Dudley and Cross took over the attack with Dudley accounting for danger man Middleton. Some stubborn resistance by Southall and Gilbert stopped the rot.

Geoff Hall induced a top edge from Gilbert to be caught by Dudley. Southall's retirement with a pulled muscle bought Chapman to the crease who set about the bowling with gusto. Abbots was brought back and had Jones caught behind for a patient 14, all singles. Mudway holed out off Tony Poyner, caught by Joe Little.

The match ended in a draw.

The star of the bowling attack was Jack Abbots, in his first senior game he took three wickets.