Ramblers coast to Derby honours

1ST XI

MALVERN Ramblers visited their neighbours Barnards Green on Saturday in the Second Division of the Worcestershie Couty League and produced their most convincing performance of the season to win by the massive margin of 141 runs.

Ramblers had scored 20 before losing David Arnold, and Mark Baugh followed soon after with the score on 25.

However Stephen Carter and Paul Young then came together and added 84 runs for the wicket. Carter in particular was in scintillating form with some superb shots all round the wicket and looked certain to register his maiden hundred until falling for 63 (11 fours, 1 six).

Rob Francis continued his recent good form hitting three sixes in his 39, Adam Dovey and Paul Jauncey also made important contributions in Ramblers final total of 243, their highest score of the season.

David Creese was the pick of the Green bowlers with 3-45 from 16 overs.

Barnards Green started soundly and at 41-1 looked in particular trouble but the dismissal of in-form Richard William started a collapse which saw the Green stumble to 63-7.

With Francis and Neil Thompson giving the home batsmen a searching examination, Creese and Hancock halted the collapse with a brief recovery but when Young clean bowled Hancock for four Ramblers sensed victory.

Creese smashed some quick runs as the home side just managed to reach three figures but Francis completed the match when he bowled Adams to claim his sixth wicket of the game and give Malvern their third consecutive league victory over Barnards Green.

Malvern Ramblers would like to thank Crusader Sports for their sponsorship.

On Saturday Malvern Ramblers travel to Belbroughton while Barnards Green are at home to Astwood Bank.