MALVERN Seconds were hosts to Pedmore Seconds on the opening Saturday of the season.

MALVERN II v PEDMORE II

With the sun beating down, new second XI captain Richard Cullen won an important toss and put the visitors into bat.

The decision looked to be the right one almost instantly as Mitchell took two early wickets to leave Pedmore 16-2. A brilliant run out by Neil Thompson and two wickets each for Ian Laws and Martin Mudway left Pedmore struggling at 69-7.

Dan Besgrove was then introduced into the attack and immediately made an impact taking three wickets and cleaning up the tail, Pedmore being bowled out for 99.

Malvern's chase didn't get off to the best start with Neil Thompson, Ian Walwyn and Andy Cullen all going cheaply. An important partnership between Tom Grove (29) and Dan Besgrove (26) got Malvern to within reaching distance.

However, when Grove and Besgrove eventually fell and captain Cullen departed for a duck, the hosts started to get shaky.

Fortunately, Mark Mitchell was in impressive form as he powered Malvern to their winning target with a fine batting performance, finishing on 21no and leading his team to victory by four wickets.

Malvern's first XI league fixture at Pedmore was rained off with the sides being awarded five points each.