AN inspired bowling comeback saw Colwall claim a 19-run victory over Swindon on Saturday and continue their improving league performances.

SWINDON v COLWALL

Losing the toss and being put into bat, Colwall were reduced to 22-2 early on as Fox's pace removed Tom Wolfendale and Dave Powell inside eight overs. Tim Riley and Steve Ferguson next proceeded to stabilise the innings with a patient and gritty first few overs at the crease before working Colwall back to a comfortable 60-2 after 20 overs.

The pair went on to secure a fine 114 partnership for the third wicket after Ferguson particularly showed some tidy shot play through the off side. Riley departed for 44 to become Zohaib's first victim before Colwall's wickets in hand allowed a late surge of runs, with Barney Bamford's and Lee Hankins' critical double figure contributions pushing Colwall past the double century mark. Ferguson's excellent performance with the bat, however, stole the show as he marched on to 75 before being caught at deep mid-wicket in search of his ninth boundary. Wickets tumbled in the last few overs as Zohaib collected 5-47 leaving Colwall 208-8 from their 50 overs.

With 74 runs needed from 20 overs and eight wickets in hand Swindon's collapse can only be described as dramatic after Eddie Hill and Russ Bennett came back to turn the game around in a matter of overs. After Beasent (24) and Baden's (38) positive start Swindon reached 88-1 after 20 overs with the Colwall bowling attack, finding runs leaking in all areas.

Hussain's 54 in 42 balls continued the rapid race towards the target before Hill's capture of the number three began the downfall with Dave Sutton bowling Baker the following over and the dangerous Nichols falling stumped to Hill. Cock (16) and Tucker added runs in the late stages to keep the game in the balance but, thanks to Bennett's 3-42 deceiving spin, couldn't find the partnership needed to steer Swindon home.

Sutton's hard working 15 overs finished with 3-65 and Hill's three spells yielded 3-38 as Colwall wrapped up victory with four overs to spare after Steve Ferguson's third stumping to complete the comeback.

Colwall now face Winget next Saturday at Stowe Lane, before the much awaited trip to Elvaston of Derbyshire in the quarter-finals of the Village Knockout on Sunday.