MALMESBURY managed a scrappy win on Saturday against league newcomers Woodmancote.

Having lost the toss Malmesbury, delighted to find themselves fielding on a damp wicket, made early inroads into the opposition batting to gain the upper hand, reducing Woodmancote to 11 for three.

A brief recovery was followed by another collapse and at 81 for seven it seemed as though the game was destined for an early finish.

Unfortunately Malmesbury's fielders then proceeded to treat the ball as though it were a bar of wet soap and downed six catches.

One notable exception was Max Sparrow, promoted from the youth team, who took three catches. Such was the benevolence of the fielders Woodmancote managed to creep along to 158 before BK Majumder, once again the pick of the bowlers with four for 20, finished the innings off.

After the break Malmesbury started disastrously, with both openers being clean bowled, and it was only through some excellent counter attacking from Majumder, who went on to post a half century, that the visitors kept in the contest.

At 50 for four Woodmancote were in the ascendancy. James Pierce-Smith then batted with great care and skill against some penetrating bowling and with first Majumder and later Mark Lester guided Malmesbury to victory.

Without some considerable improvement all round Malmesbury's hopes for promotion will come to a premature end.

On Saturday Malmesbury entertain Box at The Worthies.