West Malvern 151 all out, Knighton-on-Teme 151-5.

WEST Malvern and Knighton-on-Teme fought out yet another close encounter in their opening match in Crusader Worcestershire League Division Five.

Apart from a crushing victory over their opponents at Mathon Court last season, West Malvern had edged out Knighton by one run and then one wicket in two of their previous meetings.

Put into bat in perfect conditions, the visitors immediately came under pressure from the pace and accuracy of Pete O’Connell and James Blackshaw.

O’Connell took two wickets, including that of opener Tim Gasch, to leave Knighton struggling on 18-3.

Rowan Dakin and Tim Millis continued the pressure but Steve Wright’s introduction stemmed the flow of runs and he clean bowled Martin Toms for 15 with the score on 74 after 30 overs.

Knighton’s Humphreys (47no) and Griffiths (30no) took the final total to a creditable 151.

The West’s reply started brightly until Tony Williams spooned Griffiths to Tom Whistance and Alex Hall was bowled second ball.

Shailly Badra (18) joined Wright (43) to progress the score into the 60s but when the latter was bowled by Whistance and Phil Chaundy and Kevin Gilbert followed in the same over, the innings was in danger of collapsing.

Dakin became Griffiths’ fifth victim with the score on 120 in the 38th over and last man Millis came to the crease needing 11 runs off three overs.

Millis got four of the five runs required for victory off the final over before edging the last ball to wicketkeeper Toms.