WORCESTERSHIRE Cricket League Division Four leaders West Malvern were held to a rare tie when Kidderminster thirds visited.

The hosts were asked to bat first after losing the toss and only opener Phil Chaundy's 55 helped them total 136 all out from 38.5 overs.

But Matt Hindmarsh (3-22) and Will Jones (3-16) ensured Kidderminster were bowled out for the same score in 45.4 overs during a dramatic finish.

West openers Chaundy and Robin Lloyd found the damp pitch after overnight rain challenging.

Bowler Mike Kirby-Davies used the surface well to make run scoring difficult and survival a priority.

But George Davis struck first by having Lloyd caught in the gully for seven.

Will Lloyd (4) struggled to time his shots and fell to Kirby-Davies as he nicked behind.

Change bowler James Smith appeared to be to the liking of Joe Bird but the batsman looked to repeat a cut through backward point only to be well caught for three.

Chaundy steadily accumulated runs as his partners struggled with left-arm spinner Curtis Parker tempting Jones (3) to edge to slip and Dominic Weston (1) mistiming a shot to Kirby-Davies.

But Matt Penkoks punished bowler Harry Carter in typical style and the run-rate was revived.

Having reached his third 50 of the season Chaundy skipped down the pitch to loft Parker (3-26) into the trees but missed and was stumped.

Penkoks (17) struck a lofted on-drive to be caught in the deep and Carter claimed his second wicket when he surprised Rowan Dakin (1) with a straight delivery that took the edge.

Kevin Gilbert became wicketkeeper James Williams' fifth victim when caught in Simon Clarke's first over for six.

Hindmarsh and skipper Matt Gammon (3 not out) put on 19 valuable runs before the former lofted Clarke to Davis for 18.

In reply Hindmarsh's extra pace took full advantage of the pitch and Aaron Dickens (5) edged him to Gammon at slip.

Williams got a lifter from Hindmarsh and was caught by Will Lloyd for six.

Matt Davies drove Hindmarsh to Robin Lloyd at short extra cover and when Bradley James presented Gammon with a return catch the visitors were four down with barely 30 on the board.

Penkoks bowled tidily and Jones swiftly had the dangerous Harry Dickens caught by Gilbert for 25.

Davis (6) was well caught by Weston as he lofted back over Jones' head.

When the confident Carter (14) was held by Gilbert off Penkoks (1-18) to make it 80-7 the hosts were back on top.

But Clarke and Smith wrestled back control and the score passed three figures.

However, Weston’s reliable line and length was introduced and Dakin had Clarke (11) caught low at slip by Gammon. The experienced Kirby-Davies found the boundary regularly to put Kidderminster within sight of victory but he hit Dakin (2-28) into the air and Robin Lloyd swooped at mid-off.

Jones was next to bowl with two runs or one wicket needed for victory.

Smith (29no) scored one run to tie and Jones' next two balls narrowly beat the edge before he bowled Parker for a duck to share the spoils with fine figures from 7.4 overs.

Of the 20 wickets to fall only two were not to catches.