CLEOBURY Mortimer skipper Ben Griffiths was left to rue a missed opportunity after his side lost out to visitors Malvern in Division Three of the Worcestershire League.

Some decent bowling had Malvern all out for just 123 but the Cleobury batsmen were unable to take advantage and they finished 58 runs adrift.

Griffiths said: “We started well enough and had them at 26-6 thanks to some good bowling. But they then put on a good partnership on what was a slow wicket.

“Even when they’d taken their total to 123, we still thought we had a realistic chance but it was just one of those days at the crease. It was a combination of good bowling from them and some poor shots from ourselves."

The decision to put the visitors in to bat looked to have paid off as Harry Booton (3-21) and Michael Green (3-17) took care of the top order.

But the arrival of Rob Perrins to the crease rescued Malvern and he went on to hit an unbeaten 52 with Michael Arnold offering good support before he was run out for 26 by Kieran Hall who also took 2-18.

The other wicket to fall was claimed by skipper Griffiths (1-17).

Perrins then showed he was just as able with the ball as he took the wickets of opening pair Sam Evans and Jake Wadhams on his way to 2-17.

Griffiths gave his side hope with a knock of 28 but Ed Kemp (11) was the only other player to make double figures as Cleobury were dismissed for just 65. Neil Thompson was the pick of the Malvern bowlers with figures of 6-21.

Griffiths added: “It’s not been a bad season so far and we’ve won some decent games. One problem we’ve had is that we’ve been unable to field our strongest XI yet due to work commitments.

“We hope to have a few players back in on Saturday when we are away at Harborne which is never the easiest place to go.”