MALVERN II travelled to Stourport on Saturday and came away losers on a day when they probably wished they hadn't bothered turning up.

STOURPORT II v MALVERN II

Cox and Walwyn opened the batting for Malvern and looked in control until Walwyn was bowled by skipper Goddard at 38. Prosser, one of four juniors in the side, played a few nice shots but again fell to Goddard. Cox departed for 24 bringing Walker and Besgrove to the crease. The introduction of Downes was to bring him five wickets, claiming Besgrove first after a mistimed hook. At 90-5 a low score looked inevitable but Walker (18) and M Cox (18) gave it respectability. The tail wagged a bit to push the score to 132 all out off 44 overs, a disappointing total.

In reply Colley and Davis started in bright form punishing all the bad balls and scoring off quite a few good ones as well. M Cox and Whittaker could not produce their Eastnor form bringing Ian Sumner and Besgrove into the attack.

Sumner bowled well and produced the only wicket, bowling Davis for 28. Besgrove bowled three poor overs and Shackelton and Colley sensed a quick victory and began hitting out.

On a day when nothing went right for Malvern in the field, the winning total was hit by Shackelton (58no) after the 23rd over.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Malvern 2nds meet Feckenham at home.