WEST Malvern opened up a 32-point lead at the top of Worcestershire League Division Four after an under-strength side beat Claverley by 31 runs at Sandford Park.

With several first team regulars unavailable, it was an unfamiliar 11 than made the trip to Shropshire, but Ben Tanner, Kupee Yoganathan, Sam Nicklin, Joe Stanley and Ollie Rosoman stepped up to the plate.

After being bowled out for 193, West then chipped away at Claverley’s batting line-up before Rowan Dakin ran out Matthew Danks in the penultimate over to secure maximum points.

The windy conditions suited Jamie Greenwood’s swing and Aroon Iqbal’s pace but the West’s pair of Kevin Gilbert and Phil Chaundy withstood the onslaught as they ticked along to 36 from 10 overs.

Gilbert was first to go after appearing to edge Greenwood to keeper Adrian Webster for nine.

Chaundy’s innings of 23 abruptly came to an end when he seared a drive straight to Edward Grainger off Rupert Grainger before Matt Penkoks went for 10.

A stabilising partnership was much-needed and Yoganathan and Tanner answered the call. The pair put on a valuable 66 runs for the fourth wicket until Tanner’s free flowing innings was ended by Edward Grainger for 39.

Whilst Yoganathan and Dakin were at the crease a reasonable total became a likelihood, but the return of Iqbal was to change the course of events dramatically.

Yoganathan was bowled for 39, Matt Hindmarsh (6) edged to gully and then Dakin became Iqbal’s third victim caught by John Pearsall for 17.

Greenwood (2-44) then mopped up Gammon before Iqbal (5-32) shook the timbers of Sam Nicklin and Stanley.

Pearsall and David Aubrey began well for Claverley before the latter went for eight after being caught by Stanley off Hindmarsh.

Dakin struck in his first over, inducing the dangerous Pearsall (19) to nick a wide delivery into the safe hands of Gilbert. Hindmarsh then bowled Iqbal (1) and Tom Grainger (26).

West were frustrated by Rupert and Edward Grainger before Dakin finally broke the determined partnership, removing the former.

With Edward Grainger going well and riding his luck he and Webster mounted an assault on the victory target, requiring less than 60 to win at six down.

Grainger (32) went for a big shot from a ball that nipped back from Tanner and was trapped LBW.

Greenwood (11) looked to cut loose against Gammon, but his attempted cut was loose and smartly pouched by Stanley.

When Penkoks pierced Webster’s defence with a full delivery for 29 the game had swung firmly in the favour of the visitors.

Penkoks grabbed the ninth wicket bowling Joshua Nathan to leave last pair Patrick Lewis and Danks to withstand the final four overs.

They looked to have resisted the 49th over from Hindmarsh until the final ball. After Danks went for a single, Dakin hurled the ball towards the stumps for Gilbert to gather and break the wicket.

West host Kidderminster on Saturday (1pm).

Hanley Castle and Upton slumped to a two-wicket defeat to Bromsgrove third XI.

Ollie Price’s 5-43 off 12 overs was not enough for Hanley in a low-scoring Division Four clash.

Bromsgrove skittle their opponents for 129 with Will Chambers top scoring on 34 before James Sargeant (40) and Sam Johnson (28) steered the hosts to victory.

Hanley take on Claverley at home on Saturday (1pm).

Struggling Malvern beat Netherton by seven runs thanks to a dogged display from Thomas Fairclough in the closely-fought Division Three encounter.

Fairclough scored 53 as Malvern posted 153 before helping to finish off Netherton with the ball, claiming two wickets.

Malvern, who remain in the bottom two, travel to local rivals Rushwick on Saturday (1pm).