MALVERN Seconds continued their excellent form with a 24 points victory over Martley.

MALVERN II v MARTLEY II

However, Martley put up a good fight. Their openers got off to a good start, with Sumner and Mudway unable to produce their best form. Nigel Hooper caught Townsend, bringing Smith to the wicket. He formed the backbone of the innings before looping a catch to Sumner on 55. Pethybridge and Downs chipped in with useful contributions as Martley finished on 179 all out with Hooper taking six wickets.

Malvern's reply was very slow. Walwyn took ten overs to get off the mark but then started scoring freely until he played on for 48. Cox and Besgrove both chipped in with 30 leaving Croft (22) and Knapper and Sumner (21) to reach Martley's target, off 43 overs. Malvern claimed a maximum 24 points.

Thanks go to Infosigns for match sponsorship.

EVESHAM II v MALVERN II

IN a remarkable game at Evesham, Malvern Seconds bagged maximum points again in a 60 run victory.

Cox and Walwyn had a steady start but it was the partnership of Postans and Francis that gave Malvern's innings a solid base. Postans found some form with an excellent 36 and Francis played solid shots in his 49. Postans fell at 135 after putting on 74 with Francis. Attempting to get the total past 200, Besgrove contributed with 24. The tail wagged and the innings closed at 194-7.

After their first four overs Evesham collapsed to 4-5. This was due to Mudway and Sumner producing excellent opening spells, and Postans and Besgrove holding catches in the slip cordon.

Evesham's position seemed doomed, but Cutler and Lloyd had other ideas. Without bothering to play themselves in, they proceeded to despatch the ball to all parts of the field. All the bowlers suffered as the run rate approached six an over. They shared a partnership of 115 before Hooper trapped Cutler for a gritty 67. Lloyd soon followed for 44. These two batsmen were the only ones to score more than one!

Tight bowling mopped up the tail with Mudway taking 3-40.

Evesham were all out for 134, having given Malvern a fright halfway through.