STEVE Wright once again led the way as West Malvern ran out easy winners in their final Worcestershire County League division six match of the season against Bewdley thirds.

WEST MALVERN v BEWDLEY III

Wright's 69no and James Blackshaw's excellent 4-45 were too much for the visiting side, who having been put in on a wet wicket, were bowled out for 134.

West Malvern struck in the second over when Cliff Rawlings, making his debut for the league side, cleaned bowled Michael Pratt for a duck.

Robin Wilson and Peter Mauger dug in to stabilise the innings, the scoring rate kept in check by tight bowling from Wright and Rawlings backed up by some fine fielding. When Wilson (15) attempted to open up he fell victim to another swinging delivery from Rawlings and lost his off stump; Bromfield (5) fell to an almost identical ball six overs later when the score had crept to 41 off 18 overs.

Wright completed his spell for 33 runs, leg-spinner Richard Dudley replacing him at the bottom end. James Blackshaw came on for Rawlings whose figures of 12-4-19-3 were just rewards for a superb spell of left arm swing bowling.

It wasn't long before Dudley claimed wickets, Chris Wilson (5) and Mauger (27), who was under pressure to score briskly.

Skipper Dave Cowdery put up some solid resistance, after Liam Wills was bowled by Blackshaw for one, he and John Guy pushed the score on from 82-6 in 34 overs to 118 when Bob Rogers smartly stumped Guy off Blackshaw for 19 six overs later. Cowdery (47no) continued his assault until Rick Porteous (0) was caught by Kevin Gilbert and Andy Stannard trapped lbw for four, both off Blackshaw (9.5-0-45-4). The Bewdley innings finished on 134.

The rain, which had gradually increased, continued throughout the tea interval causing a delayed restart resulting in four overs being lost.

Simon Hudson (7) and John Reynolds (9) got the West off to a good start putting on 21 in seven overs before both fell to Andy Stannard off consecutive balls. Rain came and a further four overs were lost.

Regular openers Wright and Tony Williams set about the task of ensuring that 76 were on the board by the 25th over. Williams departed on 12 in the 16th over when he offered a simple caught and bowled to Mauger. Brian Pleass came to the crease with urgency in mind and soon started to dominate, together he and an aggressive Wright smashed the ball to all parts reaching 75 in the 20th over. His 50 came in even time and it was fitting that he should hit the winning runs in the 29th over. Pleass finished on 27no and Wright's 69 ensured that he ended his season in the league with an average of 72.22.

West Malvern finish their league campaign in third spot, 12 points behind Evesham.

West Malvern travel to Knighton on Teme tomorrow (Saturday) for a third round cup clash hoping to extend their season.