MALVERN continued their recent excellent Worcester-shire County League Division Two form with a comfortable four wicket win over newly promoted Martley.

MALVERN v MARTLEY

Martley made a promising start and openers Basford and Birchley put on 22 before Basford was dismissed, immediately followed by Hopkins.

Skipper Neal Thompson introduced himself into the attack in the eighth over and bowled until the conclusion of the innings to claim eight wickets for only 47 runs, with a superb display of accuracy and guile. Martley finished on 111, thanks to a late flurry of shots from ex-Malvern player David Kyte.

Malvern made a disappointing start, Mark Baugh particularly unlucky but in-form batsman Luke Halion and Rob Francis steadied the innings and then launched a fierce counter attack before Francis fell for only 28, his first score under 60 for five innings.

Paul Young showed all his experience to score an important 13 before he departed. However, Halion was still at the wicket and yet again combined determined defence with his natural flair to pass 50 for the third consecutive league match, a rare achievement.

It was fitting that Halion and Thompson were at the crease when the winning runs were scored, as they had been Malvern's most important players on the day.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Malvern travel to league leaders Evesham.

MARTLEY II v MALVERN II

MALVERN Seconds made it three wins on the trot within a fine victory over Martley, in a game that only took two and a half hours.

Looking at the soft wet pitch, Malvern skipper Besgrove had no hesitation but to put Martley in.

Cox and Mudway again opened steadily, while the pitch played all sorts of tricks. Wickets fell immediately with Mitchell picking up three excellent catches at silly mid on. At 30-6 there was not way back for Martley as Malvern bowled and fielded intelligently. For a change Malvern held their catches as Mudway and Cox bowled unchanged. Martley lost their last five wickets for 30 runs ending on 60 all out. Mudway finished with 4-29 and Cox another fine haul of 6-26.

Malvern openers Dave Cox and Walwyn were wary of the pitch's behaviour and batted accordingly, for the second time this season, whilst chasing a low total, they quickly acquired the runs.

The winning total was reached in just nine overs with both openers producing good timing.

Malvern's confidence is high now as they take on Evesham 2nds tomorrow (Saturday) going for their fourth straight win.