NORTHWICK STROLLERS v MALVERN ARTEFACTS

DESPITE dominating the bulk of the game, Artefacts went down by three wickets.

Put in to bat, the Malvern side made an impressive start with Richard Burston (47) and Ian Walwyn (13) putting on 43 at more than a run-a-ball.

Walwyn perished attempting an extravagant drive and Jamie Drew (5) and Stuart McGann (first ball) followed.

It was the left to veteran Burston and Neil Prosser (21), playing his first game of the season, to push on past 80. Artefacts made 115 off twelve overs, it should have been enough on a pitch with bounce and sideways movement.

The home side's innings got off to a slow start, with openers Passey (3) and Hands (12) struggling to come to terms with the pace of the pitch.

Goodman (10) looked in total control until he misjudged a straight ball from Julian Done. Two balls later, Fern (0) was run-out after some excellent work by Richard Burston and minutes later, Bradley top edged a catch for 37-5.

D Finch (15) did his best but it was left to the late order of Perkins (20no), Gurney (11) and man-of-the-match Hodgson (17no), who plundered 75 off the last five overs for an unlikely victory.

The visitors will rue the 26 extras they conceded, mostly a mixture of no-balls and wides.

Julian Done took 3-12 off three overs with support from debutant Sean Brimmell (2-21).