MALVERN Seconds at last had the sun shining for their guests Worcester Nomads, who always provide a competitive but well spirited encounter.

ALVERN II v WORCESTER NOMADS II

With both sides seriously depleted of regulars, Nomads' skipper Williams had no hesitation in putting Malvern in to bat.

Openers Cox and Walwyn started ticking over nicely and by drinks at over 16, were 66 without loss. Stewart plugged away and a flurry of wickets soon followed. He reduced the hosts to 92-4 in the next nine overs.

Youngster Stafford joined in the fun with his leggies. He collected four wickets with most Malvern batsmen simple playing rash shots.

Cullen (20) and Wells (25) staged a brief comeback before Wells was out stumped, literally throwing his bat.

Malvern did well to see out the 49th over before being all out for 158. Pick of the Nomads' bowlers were Stewart and Stafford.

Three an over, in theory, should have been easy in reply. However, with alert fielding and tight bowling from Mudway and Cullen, Nomads were made to struggle. Ranscombe and Bland squeezed out the runs until Ranscombe was needlessly run out at 31. The scoring rate never changed much as Mudway bowled Bland and Harding with straight deliveries.

Potentially Nomads could have slipped up here, but Jinks provided experience to increase the rate. Mudway and Cullen continued, with Cullen bowling particularly well giving genuine pace. Mudway picked up two more wickets with Nomads closing in.

Jinks' calm experience hid the underlying panic, but Nomads coasted home with one over to spare, Jinks finished on 43no with Mudway claiming four wickets.

Thanks to sponsors the Spice Cottage, Crusader Sports and Francis of Malvern.