12/7/02 - Sutton rips out middle order

COLWALL v WOOTTON BASSETT

On the back of three consecutive league defeats Colwall needed a boost to the start of the second half of the season and it duly came in the shape of Tom Wolfendale and Dave Powell's opening 123-run partnership.

Electing to bat first Colwall's excellent start that yielded half centuries for both batsmen pushed the run rate to just over four an over as the visitors failed to make an impact, not helped by three dropped catches.

The breakthrough finally came with the stumping of Wolfendale for a well timed 66 off Nienaber's (2-63) bowling with Dave Powell falling in the 38th over for an impressive 67 as the home side looked for runs in the closing stages.

Pete Thomas, in his last game before returning to Australia, collected a sharp 25 before an unfortunate run out and Sean Clark's 2-49 reduced Colwall to 190-5 after the quick dismissals of Butler and Hankins. Tim Riley's 20 in just 20 balls fired Colwall back into a commanding position though to finish on a strong 222-5 from their 50 overs.

Bassett's slow run rate throughout the first 30 overs was crucial to the final outcome as excellent bowling from Thomas and Dave Sutton ensured the visitors could never sustain an assault on the total.

Stuart Bailey grabbed two of the first three wickets for 33 runs with only Shama and Sean Clark's 21 runs apiece keeping Bassett in contention of a late surge.

Paul Barnes' safe catch at mid-wicket to dismiss the dangerous Clark was the start of Colwall's 19 point win with only tail ender Gallimore's 31 the threat to an otherwise comprehensive bowling performance. Sutton's six wickets tore through the middle and top order in the last 25 overs though to guarantee the result as a string of good catches, the most notable Powell's forward dive at mid-wicket for Sutton's fifth dismissal, ensured a much needed victory.

Pete Thomas' tight final spell capped the win with his last wicket for the club capturing Gallimore lbw two overs from the end.