FOLLOWING on from a five wicket friendly win over Kempsey the previous week, Colwall entertained St Stephens on Saturday at Stowe Lane but were let down by a poor batting performance in a 32 run defeat.

COLWALL CC v ST STEPHENS

Taking to the field Colwall made an early breakthrough with Ed Evans (1 for 29 off 9) deceiving Jilbert for keeper Pete Wyatt to stump the opener for three. Tight opening spells from Evans and Eddie Hill helped keep the run rate down early on before Williams and Panter built up a steady 56 partnership. The former however fell to Keith Holland's first delivery for 48 to leave the visitors at 79 for 2 after 22 overs and the patient Panter later fell for 46. St Stephens added 74 runs in the final over but this didn't stop Hill collecting figures of 2 for 25 off 8 overs. Cox's contribution of 40 in 29 balls was the mainstay of St Stephens late push and they finished on 185 for 5 after their 40 overs.

A poor batting performance matched with tight bowling throughout meant Colwall never challenged the target set. The home side slumped to 15-3 after 11 overs and they looked to the Tim Riley, Steve Ferguson partnership to revive the innings. The pair put together a steady 25 runs before Ferguson was caught at gully off Hemming (3-13 off 6) in an attempt for some much needed runs.

Riley fell in the same vein for 21 and Colwall from then on never looked to get near the target scoring just three an over for the first 30 overs. Spirited innings however came from Keith Holland (22) and Brian Goode who top scored with 24.

This matched with Dave Sutton scoring 19 runs off his opening five deliveries steered Colwall to a respectable position.

Paceman Holder's three wickets for only 27 runs finished off the Colwall order though as St Stephens recorded a 32 run friendly win.