MALVERN remained in the Worcestershire League Division Three promotion mix with a winning draw at Alveley.

The hosts totalled 217-5 in their rain-reduced 40-over innings which was dominated by Jason Glazier (70) and Richard Twigg (83 not out).

Stephen Lake was Malvern’s best bowler with 2-36, while Rob Perrins again picked up a couple of victims with 2-55 and Rob Francis took the other wicket to fall.

Malvern needed 143 from their 26 overs to gain a winning draw but received such a rapid start from the prolific Andrew Cullen and Ollie Bendall that they began to believe a remarkable win was possible.

Bendall eventually fell for a quick-fire 42 after peppering the boundary regularly and Cullen, following another fine innings, went for 64.

A couple of wickets fell before Jeremy Lee quickly seized the initiative back and threatened to win the game with a succession of big hits.

But, when he was dismissed for 43 in the penultimate over, Malvern called off the pursuit and claimed an important winning draw ahead of tomorrow’s home game with Stourbridge Social (1.30pm).

The seconds thrashed Alveley by nine wickets after Chay Ankers (4-9) and Ashley Jones (4-27) skittled them for just 39.

  • Worcester Nomads are struggling to escape from the Birmingham and District Premier League Division Three bottom two after a six- wicket home defeat to Quatt.

Nomads were asked to bat first on a green Bransford track and the visitors quickly exploited the favourable bowling conditions by removing Darren Lakin with the second ball.

Sam Roberts (29) and Lewis Austin (7) put on 45 but then three more wickets followed in quick succession, leaving Nomads struggling on 59-5.

Jon Inglis (27) and Rich Henry started rebuilding with an 87-run stand as, with the pitch drying and the ball getting softer, runs became easier to get. Henry departed for a well-made 66 but lateorder hitting from Ben Schiffmann (34no) and Jace O’Hara (22) helped post a competitive 243 all out off 54 overs. Ben Speake took 3-35.

In reply, good batting and wayward bowling saw Quatt off to a blistering start, reaching 40 off the first five overs.

Henry stemmed the run flow with three quick wickets leaving Quatt on 74-3.

Despite offering numerous chances initially, Adrian Evans and Thomas Whitney took the game back to the bowlers, accumulating runs at an alarming rate.

They put on 140 for the fourth wicket and, when Whitney was eventually caught off Schiffmann for 80, Quatt were within sight of victory.

Evans (75no) and Alex Biddle (11no) guided them home in the 45th over after another disappointing Nomads bowling and fielding display.

Only Henry showed any control with 2-55 off his 14 overs.