COLWALL progressed into the regional final of the National Village Knockout on Sunday as Dave Sutton's five wickets and Richard Williams' 40 runs ensured a narrow 13-run win over Feckenham.

FECKENHAM v COLWALL

In a testing game, rescheduled after last week's abandonment, Colwall were put in to bat on a grassy wicket that helped the pace attack of Davidson and Kings (M) early on. The former's excellent early spell included the capture of Dave Powell as Colwall were restricted to three an over in the opening exchanges.

Richard Williams and Tom Wolfendale's 47-run partnership next pushed Colwall through to 70 at the halfway stage before Wolfendale gloved to keeper Fletcher for a steady 31 runs. Williams excellent boundaries, including three sixes through mid-on, were the mainstay of the visitors challenge and his hard-earned 40 runs allowed a surge on the total in the last 15 overs.

Monks' economical off spin was rewarded with 3-21 off nine overs to peg Colwall back to 103-5 before Steve Ferguson and Martin Oliver's critical contributions. Ferguson's well timed 39 in 37 balls and Oliver's rapid unbeaten 29 saw Colwall through to 183-8 in their 40 overs after wickets tumbled in the search for late runs with Henning's 2-27 in the last few overs keeping Feckenham's hopes alive.

The home side replied positively with a speedy 90 runs off the opening 20 overs. Three wickets were lost in this time however as Barney Bamford's catch at cover off Damien Berry's bowling and Dave Sutton's first two wickets shadowed Feckenham's good start.

Fletcher's 36 and Kings (A) 24 were responsible for the quick runs as Feckenham kept up the pressure to reach 125-4 after 30 overs. Dave Sutton's outstanding second spell swung the game back in Colwall's favour though as his five wicket haul for 27 runs took the vital wickets of Monk, caught well at deep mid-on by Oliver, and Henning for 15.

It still needed Richard Williams though to make sure of the game and dismiss Feckenham's main threat of Baylis. His 40 runs in 55 balls kept the game in the balance but once he had skied to Steve Ferguson's gloves and Berry, withan important late spell, dismissed Kings (S) first ball, Colwall defeated the visitors by 13 runs.

Williams 3-44 wrapped up proceedings to leave Feckenham 170 all out in the penultimate over.

- Colwall now visit Brockhampton in the regional final on Sunday (June 23).