AVONCROFT crawled to a three wicket win over Malvern in Worcester County League Division Three.

They removed Malvern for 128 all out after 45 overs.

But it took Avoncroft 52.4 overs to reaching a winning 130 for seven in reply.

Avoncroft spokesman Rod Braithwaite said: "It seemed a simple target at the time - but overnight rain had left the outfield extremely slow and runs were hard to come by.

"But the fact we'd bowled Malvern out in 45 overs, meant that we got four overs back, which gave us plenty of time to get the runs - but we still made hard work of it."

It could have been much worse for Avoncroft as they lost both openers Chris Pitt and David James without either of them scoring a run while wicketkeeper Sam Hughes soon followed for just seven.

Braithwaite added: " We were 17 for three at one stage and then 40 for four after 25 overs, which was slow going to say the least."

Will Sach showed a return to form by steadying the innings with 29 before Paul Athey saw the side home with 20 not out.

Earlier in the game, Dan Elliott heralded his return from university by taking four for 26 with the ball, while David James claimed three for 46 off 15.1 overs with Paul Athey picking up two for 18 off 11 overs.

Avoncroft will look to improve their position this Saturday when they entertain second placed Harborne.