WEST Malvern got their Worcestershire League Division Four campaign underway with a two-wicket victory over Stourport thirds at Hartlebury.

Debutant Pete Gurr starred with bat and ball as he registered figures of 5-33 in bowling the hosts out for 125 before top scoring with 36.

After their opening two matches were abandoned due to wet weather, West arrived in Hartlebury to warm and sunny conditions.

Matt Gammon had no hesitation in putting the home side in to bat and in the second over Rowan Dakin got the first wicket, trapping Sam Foley (4) lbw.

James Cook raced to 21 before driving Dakin to mid-off where Gurr took a fine catch low down.

Gurr struck in his first over as skipper Phil Williams (14) top edged to Sam Beaumont before Mark Dearlove (13) was brilliantly caught at short mid-wicket by Gammon off Dakin.

Kevin Haycock (9) drove Gurr in the air and was caught at the second attempt by Phil Chaundy at mid-off.

Gurr then dismissed Oliver Pratt (1) and Josh Forbes (11) while Sam Beaumont was keeping a very tight rein on the flow of runs at the other end.

After replacing Beaumont Matt Penkoks struck immediately bowling the hapless Harry Downes through the gate with a sharply turning off break.

Gurr deservedly got his fifth wicket bowling Matthew Giles (7) but a spirited final wicket flurry between George Teal and Tom Kimberley (6) gave the score a modicum of respectability at 125.

Teal fell to another turning delivery by Penkoks (2-21) for 26.

With new opening partner Gurr playing himself in Chaundy took the lead pushing the score on towards 50.

It was all looking very comfortable until Chaundy lifted a delivery that stuck in the pitch to cover and was caught by Teal for 25.

Fergus Neve hit three boundaries in his first four deliveries but he was dismissed when his mistimed sweep looped to Williams at slip.

Gurr’s fine innings was brought to a surprising end when a delivery from Mark Dearlove found its way to Williams at second slip.

Will Lloyd joined Will Jones and the crowd sat back to enjoy the final few scoring shots required for victory, but the match took a twist.

Lloyd fell second ball, caught at short cover off Dearlove, before Robin Lloyd was caught behind from a rising ball from Teal.

Jones (19) then edged Dearlove to slip and when Gilbert fell to a parried catch in Teal’s next over the visitors were reduced to 108-7 and staring at an embarrassing defeat.

Penkoks (16) fell to a catch at mid-wicket off Dearlove for 16, but Dakin and Beaumont held their nerve to level the score before Dearlove (4-26) settled the match by bowling a wide.