COLWALL seconds maintained the pressure at the top-of-the-table on Monmouth by claiming all 24 points against Martley on a perfect day for cricket at Colwall.

COLWALL II v MARTLEY II

Martley won the toss and asked Colwall to ba first on what looked a typical Colwall track. Rudd and Pethybridge bowled well and scoring for opening batsmen Sheppard and Taylor was not easy.

Colwall were restricted to 34 for no wicket off ten overs but then came the acceleration. In the next 15 overs the pair scored over 100. Just as Sheppard was starting to find top form he played-on trying to steal a single on the last ball of the over, for a good 72.

The situation looked perfect for Bakewell at 139-1 but he went without scoring. Taylor kept the score ticking as Shouler played himself in and the final assault brought 50 runs in the last four overs allowing Cowall to declare after 41 overs. Taylor with an impressive 116no and Shouler with 50no.

Colwall made a perfect start with Elsden bowling Sweet and Smith in his first over. Coleman then took the wicket of Wine to leave Martley 45-3. The real resistance came from McDonald and Ganderton with a 74-run partnership until King had the former caught at slip by substitute fielder Riley for 77.

A couple more wickets for Elsden and Coleman left Martley 153-8 and although Colwall dropped four catches Coleman took the final wicket thanks to a reflex catch by Taylor.

Pick of the bowlers were Elsden 4-53 and Coleman 5-53.