WEST Malvern returned to winning ways with a Matt Penkoks-inspired victory over Alveley in Worcestershire League Division Four.

Reeling from their final over defeat last weekend, West bounced back with a bang as Penkoks scored an unbeaten century to steer them to an impressive total of 326-7.

Penkoks then produced magic with the ball as he took 6-24 in a 195-run win to stay level on points with leaders Bromsgrove.

The returning Fergus Neve opened with Phil Chaundy and the pair got off to a flying start, pushing the score beyond 60.

After Neve (33) was trapped lbw by Richard Twigg, Will Lloyd (18) top edged to Tom Guy off Chris Hand.

Alveley changed their bowlers regularly and it did the trick as Chaundy (46) spooned a slower ball and was caught by Matthew Watkins.

Robin Lloyd was then bamboozled by a short delivery from Guy, which went through to the ‘keeper.

This brought Matt Penkoks to the crease with the score at 151-4 and he soon found his feet alongside Will Jones.

Twigg had Jones stumped for a fine 47, having put on 71 for the fifth wicket.

Penkoks started to plunder runs, finding and clearing the boundary as the innings started to reach its close.

Beaumont also went on the attack as he reached 23 in a stand of 76 before getting an inside edge to the keeper.

Penkoks brought up his century, which featured 14 fours and two sixes, before watching on as Gilbert (23) scored 16 in the final over before being caught with the last ball.

In reply, Matthew Watkins drove his way to a quick 20, but Alveley faced a daunting task. The captain turned to Rowan Dakin in an attempt to induce a false stroke, and so it proved. Watkins top edged one and was caught and bowled by Dakin before Neve skittled Jones.

But this only brought Johan Esterhuizen and Twigg in to bat and the duo helped get Alveley back on track.

Penkoks managed to squeeze a turning ball, that never really got up, through Esterhuizen (29) and onto the stumps, before Lee Carr fell the same way.

Twigg (34) attempted to counter attack but he was bowled by Jones. Penkoks then dismissed Paul Corner and had Lloyd caught at midwicket in the same over.

O’Connell got Blaymire caught and bowled and Penkoks had Guy stumped before bowling William Thomas as Alveley crumbled to 131 all out.