Old Hill III 247-7, West Malvern I 212 all out.

OLD Hill were invited to bat by skipper Pete O’Connell and scored 247-7.

West Malvern were confident that they could exploit the short boundary and challenge Old Hill’s total.

Missing two regular top order batsmen, however, their task would be made difficult if openers Steve Wright and Williams did not get them off to a good start.

Regaining the steely determination of the previous season, the pair put the opening attack of M Jeffrey and D Jones to the sword putting on 73 for the first wicket in 16 overs.

Wright (40) fell first to a smart catch by K Jones off Hunt, but Phil Chaundy took up the gauntlet to give Williams sterling support. Chaundy once again showed his class, hitting spinner Derham deep into the surrounding fields and playing several sublime drives that both sides were left admiring. He was unfortunate to be bowled by Saleem by a ball that kept very low, for 42.

When, soon after, Williams, celebrating his 60th birthday, was brilliantly caught by Hunt at square leg for 55, the game swung firmly in favour towards Old Hill.

With the score at 179-3, the pair of Walker and Gilbert attempted to keep Wests on track.

Jones, replacing Derham, immediately picked up the wicket of Walker (15) and two overs later had Gilbert caught on the cover boundary by Hunt for 20.

West Malvern still required 38 runs with five wickets and six overs remaining.

Will Lloyd and Jeff Barnes, celebrating his 65th birthday, were undone by Jeffery while Jones accounted for O’Connell and Owens at the other end.

All thoughts of victory were washed away as the final pair of Blackshaw and Rowan Dakin dug in for the final four overs. All seemed well until the dramatic final ball of the match when Jones, having failed to make Dakin play with four of his previous deliveries, was out lbw.

West Malvern lost their final five wickets for two runs leaving them in the relegation zone.