A SIX-wicket haul from skipper Matt Gammon inspired West Malvern to a last-ball win over Kidderminster thirds in Worcestershire League Division Four.

An innings of 98 not out from Will Lloyd saw West post 204-7 before the visitors came storming back in the pulsating encounter at Mathon Court.

Kidderminster looked on track for victory as they needed 27 with six overs remaining and seven wickets in hand.

But West pulled off a stunning triumph as Gammon (6-36) crucially removed James Williams (72) before dramatically trapping Adam Davis leg before with the final ball of the day.

West visit Stourbridge thirds on Saturday (1pm).

After losing the toss, Peter Gurr reached double figures before being caught behind by keeper Ryan Cooper off Paul Derrick. Will Jones was then removed in similar fashion.

Appeals from both bowlers for lbws had been met with no response from the umpire until Derrick straightened a delivery onto the pad of Phil Chaundy (26).

Robin Lloyd joined son Will and together they pushed the score past three figures with Davis being plundered for several fours and sixes.

Liam Wills received the same treatment but then produced a ball straight enough to trap Robin Lloyd (20).

Frustrated by Finley Tibbetts’s accuracy Joe Bird (7) looked to hit out but only succeeded in finding the hands of Williams at long on.

Kevin Gilbert then strode out to join Will Lloyd in the middle with the score on 133-5 at the end of the 39th over.

The duo amassed 60 runs before Gilbert (18) failed to hook a straight one from the returning Davis.

Sam Beaumont effectively ensured the score reached 200 but in doing so Lloyd was denied a century. He remained unbeaten on 98 as Beaumont was run out on the final ball for eight.

It was clear from the onset that the visitors’ ambitions rested firmly with their top order’s ability to score runs at a pace whilst batting around Williams.

Their plans however were dealt a double blow when Gurr managed to swing one through Simon Clarke’s (8) gate and then Gammon removed Aaron Dickens (7).

West also suffered a set-back as Jones limped off with a knee injury and was replaced by Jeff Barnes.

Williams and Cooper reached their 50s as the score moved beyond the 150-mark with 14 overs remaining.

Will Lloyd secured the breakthrough as he found Cooper’s edge and Gilbert took the catch to give his side a glimmer of hope.

Clive Smith appeared to be growing in confidence as Kidderminster reached 178-3 in the 44th over before he was trapped in front by Gammon.

West’s captain then bowled Williams before Oliver Davenport was dismissed lbw with Hartley’s first ball, leaving the away side on 188-6.

Wickets were tumbling as Gammon bowled Derrick (4) and Adam Dickens holed out to Matt Heywood off Hartley.

After Davis smashed the final ball of the penultimate over to the boundary Kidderminster were left needing nine of the last six balls.

West, on the other hand, needed two wickets for victory and they quickly got the first of those as Chaundy caught Liam Willis off Gammon.

Davis looked to be holding firm as he kept out the first few balls but in a dramatic late twist Gammon hit the batsman’s pads and the umpire raised his finger to signal a win for the hosts.