STEVE Wright again led the way for West Malvern as they narrowly failed to make it three WCL division six wins in three.

WEST MALVERN v HALESOWEN

His third century in five weeks was an exhibition of resilience and aggressive determination and capped another fine team performance against a strong Halesowen.

Put into bat at Mathon Court, the Halesowen openers set off at a pace. When Wright had Chris Parry superbly caught by James Blackshaw for 13, the score was 61 off ten overs. Colin Groves replaced son Mark and Richard Dudley, making a return to league cricket after an absence of two seasons, came on for Wright.

Joe Tromans tried once to often to force the pace and was smartly stumped by stand-in keeper Kevin Gilbert for 33.

Leg-spinner Dudley continued to baffle the stylish Davies and new batsman Toukeer Salim (5) was equally outwitted by a googly that took his off stump. Davies became Dudley' second victim when he edged to Gilbert for a well crafted 61 and when Phil Croft (13) was bowled by Groves (12-0-45-2) the score had levelled out to 134 for 5 in 25 overs.

Halesowen captain Steve Baker put on 50 with Nick Clarke who had only contributed three runs before lobbing up to Shailly Badra off Dudley. Baker raced to his half century and with Zain Shaid took every run on offer to close on 254-6.

In reply, openers Wright and Tony Williams had little opportunity to settle; most of the early runs came from extras. In the 11th over Williams (6) chopped a ball onto his stumps with the score on 39. Mark Groves joined Wright and together they turned the game West Malvern's way taking 84 runs off the next 12 overs.

Groves was caught by Davies off Reed for 44 and when Badra was bowled by Zain for nine the game was evenly poised at 147-3 in 29 overs.

Steve Wright had to look on as Andy Hurrell (0), Rowan Dakin (6), Kevin Gilbert (10) and Richard Dudley (0) all fell.

Groves and Wright pulled the game back into West's favour and took the score from 175-7 off 34 overs to 240 in the 44th, when Groves was eventually bowled for 26 by Zain West Malvern needed 15 to win with nine balls remaining.

Wright was helped to his 100 by Blackshaw and together they pinched singles to give Wright the strike for the final over off Williams. With 10 still required Wright failed to clear the long-on boundary as was caught leaving Blackshaw and Tim Millis to thwart the fiery Williams for five balls.

West Malvern entertain Enville at Mathon Court tomorrow (Saturday).

An evening of jazz with Trevor Emeny follows the match in the Court's gardens, cost £11 on the night or £10 in advance.