THE Fossils' found it very difficult to score against the Ramblers' opening attack of Richard Cullen and Nick Dennis and had struggled to six runs when Cullen bowled Robbins in the eighth over. Clark then struck two boundaries but fell to Cullen.

MALVERN RAMBLERS B v THE FOSSILS

The Fossils were still struggling at 65-5 but Martin Woodward brought order to the innings with sound batting and added 47 with Gardener before Richard Cullen returned to the attack to bowl Gardener and Terry Nash.

Andy Cullen, aged 13, then stumped Martin Mudway and in the same over Gerald Wadley had Woodward caught by Brian Davis for the sop score of 34.

The Fossils' innings closed on 140 after 49 overs, Richard Cullen finishing with 4-34.

The Ramblers' reply was given an excellent start by Tom Wells and Richard Cullen. The pair added 32 before Wells was dismissed by Roger Clark for 15.

Brian Davis, and Cullen took the score on to 56 before Cullen fell to Woodward for an excellent 30.

Davis reached his half-century before being bowled by Mudway. At his dismissal the total had reached 111-5 with four and a half overs to go.

Keith Williams and Mark Hooper set up a possible victory for Ramblers but 132-6 became 134-9 with wickets for Woodward and Mudway. A six was needed off the last ball but only a single was possible as Ramblers finished on 136-9 off 32 overs.