MALVERN Seconds returned to winning ways on Saturday with a maximum points victory.

MALVERN II v OLDSWINFORD II

The drying pitch was always going to be lively early on as openers Cox and Walwyn soon found out. Cox departed early on soon joined by Prosser and Scott all victims of Russon. At 8-3 things looked dire, but a 50 partnership between Walwyn (33) and Walker (22) restored some confidence.

Besgrove (26) batted for a considerable time finding it hard to get the leg spinner Fradgeley away. The Malvern score was never going to be high, but the lower batsmen ensured a vaguely competitive total was posted. Mark Cox (24) and Hooper (14) ensured the 150 landmark was reached before Malvern were all out in the last over.

Malvern knew they would have to field well since 150 was well short of the expected total. Jauncey and Cox opened the bowling, with Jauncey in particular getting good pace and lift to trouble the batsmen. Malvern nearly got the vital wicket of Whitticase early on when he gloved a catch to Walwyn. Though he started to walk, the umpire gave him not out.

With first his shoulder then his ankle, Jauncey's body finally gave up after only five overs. Swinford seized the initiative with the bowling change and at 69-1 off only 20 overs seemed favourites.

However a combination of weakness in depth of Swinford's batsmen and focussed bowling from Cox and Mudway turned the tables. Mudway bowled particularly well, picking up valuable wickets as the runs dried up for the home side. Malvern's fighting spirit shone through as they were determined not to let another game slip through their fingers.

Swinford slumped from 103-4 to 143-9 with eight runs required off the last three overs but Mudway cleaned up to claim victory for Malvern with 7-23 off 13 overs.