WEST Malvern lost ground in Worcestershire League Division Four’s promotion race after suffering a six-wicket defeat at Kidderminster.

In a topsy-turvy contest, West went from 100-2 to 124-7 before some resilient lower order batting from Matt Penkoks and Kevin Gilbert saw them reach the 200-mark.

And the visitors almost pulled off an unlikely victory as they took the match to the final over before Kidderminster clinched a dramatic win with two balls to spare.

The defeat leaves third-placed West 33 points off the top two with just four games remaining.

After making the bold decision to bat first, Phil Chaundy and Fergus Neve got the innings off to a flying start.

Chaundy continued to punish the bowling despite losing partners Neve (7) and Will Lloyd (0) in rapid succession to George Davis.

The opener reached 50 and with Robin Lloyd in support West looked handily placed with 100 on the board and more than 30 overs left.

But the game took a dramatic twist when Chaundy was bowled by George Davis as it triggered a batting collapse as a further four wickets fell for 24 runs.

When Kevin Gilbert joined Penkoks, consolidation was the name of the game and despite a few close escapes they saw off George Davis (4-54). The pair put on 66 before Gilbert (22) was caught at square-leg off Adam Davis.

The end swiftly followed with Pete O’Connell bowled by Adam Davis (5-54) and then Penkoks (56) holed out to Burke off Aaron Dalton.

After a fine recovery, West had a potentially defensively total of 200 all out, but they would need to bowl and field well to win.

While Gammon bowled tightly without any joy, Will Jones claimed the opening two wickets as Matt Davies (11) was caught by Neve and Simon Clarke (27) by O’Connell.

The steady approach by the Kidderminster batsmen frustrated West before Harry Carter gave the innings some impetus. Kuperan Yoganathan struggled to find his line and usual movement and was replaced by Penkoks who turned a delivery through the gate to dismiss Jack Beardsworth (61).

Rowan Dakin was also coming in for some punishment but managed to lure Carter (47) into swiping his well disguised leg break high into the covers where Will Lloyd took a difficult catch.

But any hope of a win disappeared when Nathan Hughes repeatedly cut Penkoks to the boundary and lofted him for a four and a six in the 49th over. James Williams sealed the win for Kidderminster four balls later to leave the Wests ruing their failure to see out their own 50 overs.

West host lowly Hallow on Saturday (12.30pm).