Malvern gave themselves a great chance of bouncing back from two bad losses by restricting Preston to 218 on a good wicket in the Sub-District cricket clash at Preston City Oval on Saturday.
If not for a well-made 86 from middle-order star Kevin Lowe, it could have been even better for the Roosters, although they can be well pleased with restricting the home side on a pitch that had plenty of runs in it.
Malvern started well, with Doug Allen grabbing an early wicket before a strong 53-run stand halted the Roosters momentum.
But just as it looked like Preston might take the game away from the visitors, Nick Gill came into the attack and turned the game on its head.
Preston lost 3-0 and 4-5 as Gill and Mike Jones ran through the Preston order to reduce them to 5-70.
When Preston captain Brendan Barry fell for just eight, the home side was precariously placed at 6-82, with Malvern having all the momentum.
But Lowe was joined by Chris McCallum and together the pair gave the scoreboard some respectability, sharing in a crucial 79-run partnership before McCallum fell for 29.
Sam Staples chipped in with 19 late in the day, but it was Lowe who was the star as he was the ninth and final wicket to fall as the Bullants posted 9-218 from their 80 overs.
Gill and Jones picked up three wickets each, while Tim Arbon also chipped in with two wickets late in the day.
Malvern skipper Simon Conway was pleased with his side’s efforts but stressed the importance of finishing the job this week.
“It’s a really good batting strip and you certainly get value for your shots,” he said.
“So after a couple of weeks where we’ve played on tracks that might have been a bit sub-standard, I think our batsmen should look forward to plying their trade on a really good wicket.
“The pitch isn’t going to do it for us. We’ve got to make sure we’re prepared to work hard and utilise the conditions as best we can. We’ll still have to be right on out game.”
