MALVERN entertained Cookley on Saturday and continued their recent good form with a winning draw.

MALVERN 1ST XI

v COOKLEY 1ST XI

Malvern batted first and after losing Richard Neale early on, Mark Baugh and Luke Halion put together a fine partnership of 87, before Halion departed for an elegant 50. Baugh followed soon after for a workmanlike 36.

From then on the innings was dominated by Rob Francis who again mixed sensible defence with some awesome hitting to finish with 68, his fourth league 50 of the season. Steven Carter made a welcome return to form with a fine 25, while Sam Peachey and Jeremy Lee's classy cameos displayed Malvern's batting strength. Malvern finished on 243.

Cookley started very well and were up with the run rate for the first ten overs but when the openers departed the visitors settled for batting practice. All of Malvern's bowlers made scoring difficult, Lee in particular showing glimpses of his previous hostile self.