Colwall'S run in the Wadworth 6X Village Knockout was ended by the narrowest of margins on Sunday, losing just one more wicket in a tied match against Derbyshire side Elvaston.

COLWALL v ELVASTON

Both sides scored 146 in their innings but the loss of eight wickets to Colwall as opposed to seven for Elvaston proved the decisive factor.

Having won the toss and elected to bat Elvaston were in trouble early on at 19-2 as Fred Conein bowled skipper Johnson for four and Birch was caught at the third attempt at slip by Richard Bennett off Jordan Kontarines' bowling.

The two bowlers first spells of six overs each were for the loss of only 23 runs and Elvaston struggled at 30- 2 off 15 overs.

A rain interruption of 30 minutes followed and after the break Archer and Thompson recovered well to add a 62 third wicket stand. Thompson made 29 before falling to James Wagstaff's (2-31 off 9) leg spin and Archer for a gritty 35 after being caught at deep mid-off by Mark Shouler off Dave Sutton.

Terry followed thanks to a superb catch by Kontarines on the fine leg boundary and at 92-5 Elvaston looked to score some much needed runs with nine overs to go. They added a further 54 runs in that time due to the hard hitting Bodill's 28 in 31 balls and Schofield's unbeaten 15. Richard Williams claimed two late wickets after the stumping of Bodill by Tim Riley and Shouler taking another well taken catch to dismiss Murray for six.

Elvaston finished 146-7 off their allotted 40 overs.

Colwall were ahead of the run rate required after 20 overs as Lincoln Marshall and James Wagstaff gave Colwall the solid start they were looking for. Richard Williams was caught behind by Archer off Barrett's bowling in the fifth over but Marshall and Wagstaff's 67 partnership meant Colwall needed 72 off the last 15 overs.

Marshall fell for a well timed 41 and Wagstaff for a vital 25. Both wickets were taken by spinner Thompson and his bowling figures of 2-16 off 9 overs slowed Colwall considerably. Richard Bennett and Tim Riley added 19 between them before Barrett came back to remove Riley and then Shouler.

At 113-6 with five overs remaining Colwall needed a strong batting performance and this duly came from Jordan Kontarines whose 32no in 23 balls was vital.

The ninth wicket duo of Kontarines and Dave Sutton needed 30 to win the game. They fell just one run short and with three needed off the last ball, could manage only two bringing a tie and the visitors reaching the last 16 having lost one wicket less.

Kontarines effort rounded off an exciting day's cricket at Stowe Lane and Colwall will look to go one better this time next year.

Colwall thank Ken Hardwick and Ian Parker of Colwall Motor Services for their match sponsorship.