WORMELOW suffered an agonising defeat from the final ball as West Malvern narrowly progressed in the Voneus Village Cup.

The Malvern side, who had also knocked 2020 trophy winners Colwall out of the competition, set a target of 220-8 and kept their nerve to restrict Wormelow to 216-9 in a pulsating finish.

West Malvern, who are making their debut in the competition, won the toss and elected to bat.

The Herefordshire hosts knew they were in for a tough game from the outset as Malvern openers Charles Bevan (59) and Matthew Blatherwick (84) shared a 92-run first-wicket stand to put them into pole position.

However, Wormelow played their way back into the tie with Oliver Langford (3-39) leading the attack.

A half-century for Arthur Jones helped to boost the Malvern target to 220/8 from their 40 overs.

With the bat Wormelow showed that they were up for the contest and openers Jasper Linley-Adams (14) and Richard Stafford (48 from 63 balls) gave their side a good base.

The middle order all contributed towards the effort with Oliver Langford (20), James Snow (43) and Luke Jones (19) all keeping their side close to the required run-rate.

However, the late bowling by Will Jones (2-33) took some vital wickets for Malvern including that of James Powell as Wormelow frantically chased the required runs to win the match.

It was not to be for Wormelow as they fell four runs short in the final over finishing on 216-9 after a valiant chase.

West Malvern won the Herefordshire & Powys crown and move into the national rounds.