FOR the first hour and a half of each innings, Colwall were pleased with their performance, but in the second half of each Goatacre dominated this league match.

GOATACRE v COLWALL

Goatace won the toss and chose to bat. Colwall opted to open the bowling with Chris Wheeler and the off spin of Jonathon Prince. Both looked in good form and restricted the Goatacre openers. Replacing Wheeler after 12 overs, Tom Wolfendale struck in his first over as Powell pounced at square leg to dismiss Horton.

Wolfendale and Prince and then Wolfendale and Hornyold continued to exert pressure and on this small ground Colwall were happy that just 70 runs had been conceded from the first 25 overs.

The game changed when Wilkins was dismissed for seven and the opener Limes for 42. In an awesome display of straight hitting, which began with three sixes in an over from Berry, Goatacre's Turner began to smash the bowling out of the ground. Dropped by Powell in the thirties, Colwall were made to regret the missed chance as six after six sailed out of the ground. All the bowlers suffered under the onslaught.

Taking a wicket, Colwall expected some respite, but Kevin Iles was happy to join in the fun with Turner and an incredible 190 runs came from the final 17 overs.

The Colwall reply began brightly with Wolfendale looking in sparkling form, taking three boundaries from the second over. He was distraught to be given out lbw to a ball that hit the ground and barely rose above ankle height. After 15 overs, Colwall were still handily placed having scored at five an over.

The introduction of Heer to the Goatace attack slowed the scoring rate and from this point on none of the Colwall batters could maintain the run-rate. David Powell anchored the innings and he carried his bat for 69 as the rest of the team perished around him in the vain chase for the massive Goatacre total.

COLWALL II v DUMBLETON

COLWALL Seconds' three game winning streak came to an end on Saturday with a home loss to Dumbleton.

The home side again made a poor start, having won the toss, losing Bishop, Hankins, Burgess and Bakewell early. A partnership was required between the experienced Sparks and Leighton, making his first appearance of the season. This was successful, with the couple putting on over a hundred. Leighton was eventually caught on the boundary going for the shot on 61. D Berry was promoted up the order for an end of innings flurry, but this was not the case, he departed for a second ball duck. The innings closed at 194-7, with Sparks 78no.

King made the breakthrough, removing Court for seven. Berry was the unlucky man beating the edge on numerous occasions but not obtaining a wicket in his initial ten over stint. King obtained his second wicket in his penultimate over removing Lawrence, well caught by stand in 'keeper Barnes.

Two wickets fell in one Bennett over, one a direct hit run out by Leighton, and at 83-4 after 30 overs the home side looked in a good position. But, with a lack of bowling options and clean hitting from Powell, 75no, the away side made their target in the final over.

Colwall, who remain in second place, travel to table-toppers Gloucester City Winget tomorrow (Saturday) looking to get back on track.