WEST Malvern got their promotion bid in Worcestershire League Division Four back on track with an emphatic five-wicket win over Old Elizabethans thirds.

After their recent lacklustre performances, West made amends as Pete O’Connell took 5-32 and Will Jones scored 82 not out in their impressive triumph.

West’s players arrived unusually early at Mathon Court in preparation for the clash and they wasted no time in picking up wickets.

O’Connell dismissed Tim Leary and Matt Leary with Kevin Gilbert and Will Lloyd taking catches while Matt Gammon bowled Nick Pullen to leave OEs on 39-3.

Despite struggling to find his normal rhythm, Will Jones got in the act as Mark Walker chopped on and skipper David Donaldson (7) lofted on to Robin Lloyd.

He again pounced well to remove Sid Ali (5) off the bowling of Rowan Dakin.

Simon Ward and Hamza Ali (6) put together a useful partnership that took the score into three figures.

But Gammon turned to O’Connell to make headway and he duly obliged as he found the edge of Ali’s bat.

In his final over, O’Connell trapped Ward (35) lbw and then bowled Joe Morrison first ball with an identical delivery.

The last pairing of Sam Ford and David Harris frustrated West’s attack as they added a further 29 runs in 10 overs before the latter was caught by Gammon off Fergus Neve.

With poor weather forecasted, West knew it was vital that proceedings were brought to a speedy conclusion as they chased 141 for victory.

Opener Neve and Matt Penkoks set the tone as they scored 57 in 20 overs. Harris had other ideas though as he removed Penkoks who was caught by Ford.

Neve powered on to 22 before he skied one to Ali off Morrison. Will Lloyd (2) soon followed when he holed out to Harris and with the next ball Hamza Ali had Kuperan Yoganathan lbw.

Robin Lloyd and Jones steadied the ship, with the latter displaying a whole array of shots.

Lloyd (8) was well caught by Ward, but the result was never in doubt as Joe Bird (4 not out) and Jones saw West home in the 25th over.

West visit Bromsgrove on Saturday (1pm).