A LATE flurry of runs from Devizes' ninth wicket pair could not disguise the fact that this was a comfortable victory for Colwall.

COLWALL V DEVIZES

Winning the toss, skipper Tom Wolfendale had no hesitation in electing to bat and once again David Powell and Wolfendale opened the innings for Colwall.

With the score on just 13, Powell played a loose drive to become the first victim of right-arm-over bowler Muse. Mathew Fortnam, the elegant young Hereford player, joined his captain to see off the new ball.

With most of the hard work done, Fortnam was surprised to see the ball swinging behind his leg to dislodge the bail on the leg stump. Tom Mcnamara, batting at number four, continued his impressive form of a fortnight earlier. He and Wolfendale began to dominate the attack, Wolfendale quick onto anything short, Mcnamara anything over-pitched.

The pair had added 97 in little over an hour when Wolfendale was taken low down at cover, bringing Nick Panniers to the wicket. Panniers was cautious at first, playing a measured innings, as Mcnamara continued on his way seemingly to a second league 100. Mcnamara's joy was short-lived as his lofted drive was clutched by Wright. His 88 was witnessed by his proud parents, over for the occasion from Adelaide.

Jonathan Prince announced his arrival at the crease with one of the shots of the day, a crisp and powerful straight-drive which sped back past the bowler's foot. A calamitous mix-up between Panniers and Prince saw the aggrieved Prince stranded mid-pitch to be run out. With 10 overs to go Ben Ford, another of Colwall's young players, was also fatally undone by an over-ambitious call by Panniers.

Colwall vice-captain Jordan Kontarines joined Panniers, who by now was approaching his 50, his first for the first team. Kontarines looked out of touch and soon fell allowing the veteran Tim Riley to join Panniers for a final assault on the Devizes attack. The pair took the total into the 260's before Panniers was bowled first ball of the last over, leaving the innings to close at 265 all out.

Chris Wheeler and Tom Mcnamara both bowled good opening spells. Mcnamara picked up the first wicket with an in-swinging full toss. Prince picked up the first of his wickets bowling the dangerous looking Wright for 25. Devizes were continually falling behind the run rate as Prince, Hornyhold and Ford all bowled tight spells. Ford in particular was unlucky not to pick up a wicket or two.

A fourth-wicket partnership between Colyer and Tadman managed to keep Devizes in with a chance. As they played ever more ambitious shots Colyer finally fell, caught Wolfendale off the bowling of Mcnamara. Wickets tumbled as Devizes continued in a hopeless chase for the runs.

The unlucky Wheeler, returning to bowl the final overs, found that Devizes's Muse, batting at number 10, still thought he could win the game and his two overs proved rather costly.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Colwall entertain early pace-setters Swindon in a home league game.